Black Catholics
Mobilize
against
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
For Immediate Release
July 24, 2001
During the WEEKEND
OF July 28th, at the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus Gathering in St.
Louis, Missouri, Franciscan Father James E. Goode, President of the National
Black Catholic Apostolate for Life will be calling on the Black Catholic Clergy,
Religious and Laity to make their voices heard in opposition to embryonic stem
cell research. During that same weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, Grand Lady
Carmela Rodriguez will call on Black Catholic Women to unite against embryonic
stem cell research at the National Black Catholic Women’s Conference.
According to the
National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life: “As Black Catholics we must stand
boldly in season and out of season for the dignity and defense of human life.
If the U.S. government gives their stamp of approval to fund this embryonic stem
cell research, then the door is open for additional abuses involving the
creation and destruction of life for purely research purposes. WE MUST ACT NOW
TO DEFEND LIFE”.
The National Black
Catholic Apostolate for Life is declaring the weekend of August 4-5th
Mobilization Weekend in the Black Community against embryonic stem cell
research.
“ Black Catholics cannot and will not sit back and allow this attack on human life to go unchallenged,” stated Father Jim Goode, OFM. Therefore we are asking the parishes and institutions in the Black community throughout the country, to send letters and make personal calls to President Bush and to their representatives in Congress asking them not to fund any research involving human embryo destruction.
In order that
Black Catholics might be well informed on this issue of stem cell research the
National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life will be provide the following:
+
Pope John Paul II (July 23, 2001), statement rejecting
embryo research.
+
Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, the President of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops statement to the Congress and President Bush asking them not to
fund embryonic stem cell research.
+ “Catholic Official Comments on Creation
of
Embryos for Stem Cell Research; urges
Administration to “Step Back from the Brink”.
For
more information contact:
NBCAL at St. Clare Friary NYC
212 594-4108 E-Mail: TNBCAL@aol.com