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This is an excellent column on just how dangerous the culture of death is.

Thread by me.

'Death-on-demand culture' risky, ethics expert warns

The perfect storm of intellectual thought, economic reality and societal context that allowed the mass killings of "undesirables" in Germany before and during the Second World War, is swirling today, warned an American professor.

And while history won't repeat itself exactly -- it's doubtful that even pro-abortionists would condone death camps -- "the pro-abortion twist is spinning bad into good," said Mark Mostert, director of the Institute for the Study of Disability and Bioethics at Regent University, in Virginia. "In the battle for the sanctity of life, we need to watch what's happening with legally assisted-suicide and euthanasia. The sick, infirm, elderly and those with disabilities are most at risk."

Mostert, a professor of special education, was a guest speaker at the annual conference of Alliance for Life Ontario, that was held Friday and Saturday in Guelph. He said medical and technological advances now allow doctors to do more for their patients, including detecting defects in unborn children, which is adding to a death-on-demand culture.

"The ethical thinking hasn't caught up with the scientific advances and we really need to have those discussions," he said. "What we're talking about is the value of a life."

Mostert said those values began to shift in Germany after the First World War, when intellectuals, medical researchers and law makers began to measure a person's value by how much they contributed to the economy. By extension, those who did not or could not contribute were considered a burden. . .

As Zero's date to desecrate Notre Dame nears, things are heating up.

Two threads by me.

62: Three More Bishops Against Notre Dame Scandal, Obama Urged to Decline Invitation

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, March 4, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A total of 62 bishops have publicly condemned the Notre Dame scandal, with three more bishops expressing solidarity with Notre Dame's Bishop John D'Arcy and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) policy against honoring pro-abortion politicians. The University of Notre Dame has invited President Obama to give the commencement address and receive an honorary law degree May 17.

Bishop Reymundo Pena of Brownsville, TX has published an April 24 letter addressed to both President Obama and University President Fr. John Jenkins condemning the scandal. (http://www.cdob.org/bishop/column/2009/4-24-09.htm)

Citing USCCB policy, Pena told Fr. Jenkins: "The prestige that the president will lend to your commencement is not sufficient reason to disregard these principles. There are numerous prominent public figures distinguished for their moral rectitude and record of public service from which you could have drawn."

Bishop Pena pointed to the dozens of bishops and over 350,000 petitioning Catholics who have expressed outrage at the invitation.

"Surely their collective voice has made it clear that they consider your action to be scandalously inconsistent with Notre Dame's symbolic mission to showcase how Catholic faith can positively influence modern life and culture," the bishop wrote. "Why have you refused to meet with twelve university student groups, who have asked to talk with you about your choice?

"I join my voice to this growing chorus of protesters, and I encourage Valley Catholics to express what is in their hearts to you, Father Jenkins."

In the portion addressed to President Obama, the bishop lauded the president's personal accomplishments, but acknowledged the "deep divide between you and the majority of Americans on the paramount moral issue of our time: the right to life vs. the claimed right to abortion."

"Mr. President, less than 18 months ago, Pope Benedict XVI canceled a speaking engagement at La Sapienza University in Rome, simply because some of the students reacted negatively to the announcement of his coming," wrote Bishop Pena. "Rather than risk throwing the university into turmoil, the pope humbly withdrew.

"I respectfully ask you to consider freely withdrawing your commitment to speak at Notre Dame University, for the same reason."

. . .

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Notre Dame Students to Protest, Boycott Obama Speech, Confront on Abortion

South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- The collection of pro-life student groups at the University of Notre Dame who have led much of the response to the Obama graduation invitation have announced their plans for commencement. Notre Dame Response will hold a peaceful protest when President Barack Obama speaks at the Catholic college.

The invitation from Father John Jenkins to the pro-abortion president to both give the graduation address and receive an honorary degree has prompted national outrage.

An ad hoc coalition of several pro-life students groups has led the official protest from UND students to the decision.

Today, the groups announced their plans for the May 17 event, saying, "ND Response has received official permission to hold a prayerful and constructive demonstration on the South Quad of the University of Notre Dame between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of Commencement."

"The students of this coalition would like to extend an invitation to all those interested in joining us on campus on May 17th as we respectfully give witness to Notre Dame's Catholic identity and pro-life principles," the group added.

"We will not be silent.
We are your bad conscience.
The White Rose will give you no rest."