Notre Dame Professor Advocates for Abortion — Dr. Jim Denison Responds “with Scientific Facts and a Grieving Heart”
The University of Notre Dame recently appointed Susan Ostermann, a professor who is an outspoken abortion advocate, to lead the Catholic school’s Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. The controversial appointment has created widespread opposition from U.S. Catholic Bishops, Notre Dame faculty, students and alumni, and Council for Life Beneficiary Students for Life of America. The professor describes pro-life efforts as “violence against women” which is tragically a common pro-abortion mantra.
Dr. Jim Denison, Founder and President of the Denison Forum and Council for Life Advisory Board member, also felt compelled to respond after reading the following erroneous scientific claim of Ostermann and a co-author:
Dr. Denison notes that Ostermann’s position is “perhaps the most pervasive and effective argument for abortion in our secularized and confused culture.”
Dr. Denison goes on to make his case for the humanity of the unborn child based on scientific facts and biblical truth. He notes that at the moment of conception, what the Notre Dame professor describes as “blastocysts or embryos” possess all 46 human chromosomes and can develop only into a complete human being— nothing will be added except the growth and development of the unborn baby.
In asserting that the “stakes could not be higher” in the cause for life, Dr. Denison prays “for the day when America sees pro-abortion advocacy for the abhorrent regime it is” and elective abortion in the same way slavery and the holocaust are viewed as a tragic part of our past.
Dr. Denison closed in a moving, heartbreaking way observing that every time he visits the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, he leaves the Children’s Memorial there dedicated to the 1.5 million children murdered by the Nazis “with tear-filled eyes and a grieving heart.” He also thinks of and grieves the 66 million babies lost to abortion in our country and pleads “for God’s mercy and for an end to this horror.”
(Read Dr. Denison’s Denison Forum article HERE)
Virginia Democrats Pass Amendment for November Ballot Measure Allowing Abortions Up to Birth
32 Week Old Unborn Baby that Virginia and other Radical Pro-Abortion State Amendments would effectively allow to be aborted
Virginia Democrats fast-tracked approval for a radical constitutional amendment to enshrine abortions up to birth in the Virginia State Constitution.
The measure will be sent to Virginia voters in November and would establish a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Key sponsor Virginia Senator Jennifer Boysko pushed for the amendment as protecting health care and contraception. However, the amendment would go far beyond what Roe previously allowed, effectively permitting aborting babies up to birth for any reason.
Republicans unanimously opposed the amendment and fought for provisions to preserve parental consent laws and ensure care for babies born alive, but these were rejected by Democrats.
(See Life News article HERE)
From Pro-Life to Abortion Up to Birth: The Impact of State Abortion Amendments
The Washington, D.C. think tank Charlotte Lozier Institute recently released a paper that analyzes the post-Dobbs legal landscape in pro-abortion states. The paper evidences how abortion advocates have removed protections for unborn children from abortion in formerly pro-life states through court rulings, constitutional amendments and shield laws. The paper focuses on Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Montana and Ohio.
Key Takeaways from Charlotte Lozier Paper:
- States where abortion ballot measures have passed legalize abortion up to birth just like the Virginia measure discussed above will do. How?
- Limits based on viability or gestational age are eliminated with undefined or broad definitions of “health” which effectively allows abortion for any reason at any time.
- Longstanding, commonsense health and safety protections were struck down and removed by state courts, including waiting periods, informed and parental consent and ultrasound requirements. Abortion advocates say such provisions “infringe” on a woman’s decision-making.
- Out-of-state abortion advocates conducted multimillion-dollar campaigns in pro-life states to turn them pro-abortion. They barraged voters with emotionally charged propaganda that was manipulative and misleading, exploiting tragic stories. Part of the fearmongering was equating abortion with miscarriage, leading voters to think that abortion bans cause reluctance in doctors to treat women needing miscarriage care.
- Shield laws in pro-abortion states enable abortion drugs to be mailed into pro-life states. Twenty-two states plus the District of Columbia shield abortionists who mail abortion drugs into pro-life states like Texas from legal prosecution. Some states allow abortionists to omit their names from drug packaging and do not require abortionists to have a medical license in the state where they are sending the drugs.
(See Charlotte Lozier paper HERE)
Adoption Gets National Attention During Super Bowl Thanks to Ad
Opening scene of a young woman anxiously staring at her positive pregnancy test in Super Bowl “Adoption is an Option” ad.
A pro-life ad promoting adoption went viral on social media after airing on national television during the February 8 Super Bowl LX.
The 60-second ad opens with a young woman anxiously staring at a positive pregnancy test. The two lines of the positive result transform into two aisles of people angrily shouting abortion and pro-life slogans.
The organization Adoption is created the ad entitled “The Girl in the Middle”. The organization’s website states it exists to “share the truth about adoption. We believe adoption is not giving up. It’s giving a future. It’s a courageous act of love that deserves to be visible, viable and valued in our culture.”
The organization counters the “two options” narrative to unexpected pregnancies: either abortion or full-time parenting. “Adoption is misunderstood. Stigma, fear, judgment and lack of information often stand in the way. At the same time, thousands of families are ready to parent and waiting to adopt. Birth mothers deserve dignity, respect and support before, during and after placement should they choose it.”
Also in connection with the Super Bowl, Lila Rose, Founder and President of Council for Life Beneficiary Live Action, shared on X the story of Seahawks star linebacker Derick Hall. Derick was born at 23 weeks, weighing less than three pounds, with a 1% chance of survival.
Lila explained how Derick’s mother was encouraged to take her fragile baby boy off life support, but she courageously refused, saving his life.
Additionally, Live Action posted the names of seven NFL players who were adopted, honoring and expressing gratitude for “all the birth moms and adoptive families who loved these men and gave them a chance.”
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