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WEDNESDAY March 29, 2000 vol. 11, no. 63 SECTION ONESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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SPECIAL ON-LINE LENTEN RETREAT
Spiritual Exercises preached to the Holy Father and his staff just prior to his historic "Jubilee Journey"
Today's Introduction: On Sunday afternoon March 12, John Paul II began Spiritual Exercises, a week especially dedicated to prayer during which he suspended his public meetings. Archbishop François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân, preacher of the Exercises, who spent 13 years in Vietnamese prisons, dedicated the first meditation to the topic, "Before the Mystery of God."
"Today, hope is perhaps the greatest challenge. Charles Peguy used to say: 'The faith I most like is hope.' Yes, because in hope, faith that operates through charity opens new paths in the heart of men, it tends to the realization of the new world, of the civilization love, that is nothing other than to lead the world to the divine life of the Trinity, in its way of being and operating, exactly as manifested in Christ and transmitted in the Gospel. This is our vocation. Today, as in the times of the Old and New Testament, he acts in the poor of spirit, in the humble, in sinners who convert to Him with all their heart."
After the Archbishop gave these points of meditation, the Pope and members of the Curia participating in the exercizes had time for private prayer over the themes presented.. ZE00031206
We have been warned by the Biblical passage that, "Man reaps what he sows." Being a physician and having heard talk among the various factions of a possible link between abortions and breast cancer, I decided to investigate this very serious matter. Here are my findings:
Breast cancer has risen dramatically in America by 50% since 1973 (Roe vs Wade) and is also increasing worldwide. Recent studies, have pointed out a dramatic relationship between the rate of abortion and the rising incidence of breast cancer. In fact, as the rate of abortion rises in America, so does the rate of breast cancer, with those women who have aborted having significantly higher rates.
Of the 1.4 million abortions done, yearly, in the United States (95% for convenience sake) and accounting for the increased risk posed by abortion, researchers estimate that the 800,000 first-time abortions performed annually would thus generate roughly 25,000 excess cases of breast cancer each year, as the first group of women exposed to legal abortion advances in age. Given the margin of error, the researchers predicted that excess cases of breast cancer would be between 9,000 and 40,000 per year, due to the impact of induced abortion.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that one of every nine women in the United States will develop breast cancer by age 85. However, in spite of overwhelming evidence, the ACS refuses to list induced abortions as a breast cancer risk. They say that the link is inconclusive, but it is NOT. The evidence is overwhelming. They will report other risk factors such family history, weight, and diet. But the most closely guarded secret is the connection between abortion and breast cancer. This is not good news for women, who are still actively being kept in the dark by the very agencies who should warn them about avoidable cancer risks.
Yet, we are told by the ACS that smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, even though that direct link has not been found. Smoking affects overall health and increases the risk for many other cancers. In the ABC risk, the direct link has been found. They, as well as TV and newspapers tell us that certain foods may increase the risk of cancer. Products have been pulled from the shelves on much less evidence. NONE of these come close to the abortion risk of breast cancer. The abortion link affects the breast cells directly, as you will see later.
Naturally, the pro-abortion groups agree, or is it that the ACS agrees with the abortion groups. Sometimes it's difficult to know, which group is running the show.
Ours is truly "THE CULTURE OF DEATH." Not only do we kill 1.4 million unborn babies a year, but now we're withholding vital information that's causing the death of thousands of women a year.
Without question, every woman should be told of this risk before getting an abortion, even if the risk is only slight, which this is NOT. After all, it's been ingrained in all of us by the abortion advocates that a woman should have a free choice in deciding if she wants to have her unborn baby killed. How about having a free choice to get all the facts.
And why, also, is the media silent on this issue and where are their investigative reporters? And why doesn't NOW and other feminist groups expose this risk? Isn't the sole purpose of their existence, to help women, or are they just a front for political agendas. It appears that they would let thousands of woman die every year, than do anything that might harm the abortion industry. I can think of no other reason.
To sacrifice the lives of thousands of women, yearly, just to make sure that the multimillion dollar abortion industry flourishes is sad and shows the depth of depravity of our country.
Women will have their unborn babies killed to make their lives easier, but it's another thing to kill yourself, so their self indulgence would cease, if there is a possibility that their own life is threatened. So it should surprise no one, that the abortion mills will not tell women of this risk prior to an abortion. They are working overtime to keep the truth from the public. And now it seems, that they have the ACS in their hip pocket.
The other risks, though not nearly as great as the abortion link, are exposed because they are not political. They will not affect the abortion industry or the current administration's connection to all things that desanctify human life. This is sad -- to expose women to this kind of danger, when it could be easily avoided.
If a group of people, who have proven they have no regard for the sanctity of life, by accepting the proposition that a woman should have the choice to kill her unborn baby, then don't be surprised when they turn a deaf ear to studies that will save other lives.
Isn't the killing of 1.4 million unborn babies a year enough for these people? How do they sleep at night? They act as if there is no God. And even if they didn't believe in God and the Holy Scriptures, one would think that just out of common decency -- they would want this risk exposed.
But don't take my word for it, or the words of those who have established the link. You don't have to be an expert in the field to understand it. You be the judge -- it's not that complicated.
But first, here are the basics: It is estrogen, which is produced in the ovaries, that transforms a young girl into a woman. When pregnancy occurs, there is a SURGE of this hormone causing the breast cells to proliferate dramatically in the first trimester, in order to lay the foundation for the production of milk. These young growing cells are more prone to develop cancer. In the second half of pregnancy, the estrogen levels RECEDE under the influence of such hormones as human placental lactogen. The immature cells, then grow and differentiate rapidly into mature, specialized milk producing tissue. Once specialization has occurred, the cells are less likely to turn cancerous.
When the pregnancy is terminated by an induced abortion, these young growing cells (known as undifferentiated cells), and having undergone drastic changes are now in LIMBO. They are no longer normal breast cells, nor are they capable of producing milk.
In plain English, these insulted cells (traumatized) have been hung out to dry. They are between a rock and a hard place. Scientists have known for years that any cell in the human body that has been traumatized, whether by chemicals, radiation, micro-trauma, or any other reason would be especially vulnerable to cancer.
One must then surmise that what has been instilled in physicians heads from time immemorial, regarding the vulnerability of abnormal cells, is no longer valid. To suit their political agenda, they would have you believe that an abnormal cell is NO more prone to becoming cancerous than a normal cell. This defies all scientific knowledge, as well as common sense and shows the depths they will go, to keep the abortion industry flourishing. Human life means nothing to them, whether it be the killing of unborn babies, or women who may die from cancer after they kill their unborn babies.
It has also been long known that a pregnancy carried to term protects against breast cancer. However, if a woman has an induced abortion, this protection is terminated. The reason is because the proliferation of the undifferentiated, cancer-vulnerable cells, by the estrogen secreted early in the pregnancy, no longer has the protection that comes from hormones released later in pregnancy, since the pregnancy has been aborted.
The estrogen/breast cancer risk has been known by doctors for many years, thus their reluctance to prescribe estrogen for menopausal women, especially those with any family history of breast cancer. Manufacturers of oral contraceptives alert the public as to the possible link between their product and breast cancer. The induced abortion risk is greater than the relative risk associated with oral contraceptives.
Women, who start their periods early and go through menopause late are exposed to more estrogen, because they have more periods. And women who have fewer or no children, are exposed to more surges of estrogen that come with more menstrual cycles. Women who breast feed their babies, also have fewer menstrual cycles, thereby lowering their risk.
Alcohol and foods high in animal fat can increase the blood estrogen level and thus increase the breast cancer risk. Leafy vegetables tend to help a woman, to rid her system of estrogen. As you can see, the estrogen factor is not just in the area of reproduction. We are warned of these risks by the top medical journals and the media.
Next Wednesday: Part Two
Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith. Today we present, appropriately in following up the Holy Father's "Jubilee Journey" last week, the first part of the catechesis on Christ the God-Man as explained in My Catholic Faith for it was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that God would become Man in order to redeem all mankind from the limbo man was placed after the sin of Adam. For the 141st installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
The chief teaching of the Catholic Church about Jesus Christ is that He is God made man. Christ Himself said that He is God. The Jews understood His claim literally, and He was condemned to death for blashpemy, for making Himself the Son of God. Christ said: "All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18). "And the high priest said to him, 'I adjure thee by the living God that Thou tell us whether Thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, 'Thou hast said it'" (Matthew 26:63). "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).
Christ proved His claims by wonderful miracles, by prophecies, by His knowledge of all things, and by the holiness of His life. These miracles Christ worked in His own name, not as His followers did, who worked in the name of God. He simply said: "I will, be thou made clean" (Matthew 8:3). Christ himself appealed to His miracles as a testimony of the truth of His doctrines and divinity, saying: "If you are not willing to believe me, believe the works" (John 10:38). Christ foretold future events. Among other things, He predicted His passion, death, and resurrection, the treason of Judas and the perpetuity of His Church.
The Apostles, the followers of Christ Himself, plainly taught that Christ is God, and died in testimony of their faith. St. John says: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." and "And the Word was made Flesh." St. Paul writes: "In Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). St. Thomas openly professed the divinity of Christ when he said: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). St. Peter said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
The Church teaches that Jesus Christ is God. Its teachings have spread throughout all nations, in spite of untold obstacles. The Church has grown by the simplest of means, its spread ever accompanied by wonderful miracles, by which God designs to show forth the truth of the Church. The doctrine of the divinity of Christ is the foundation of the Christian religion.
Even the enemies of the Catholic Church have admitted their belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Napoleon, about to die, said: "I know men, but Jesus Christ was more than man. My men deserted me in the field when I was there leading them. Christ's army has been faithful for centuries. A Leader who has an army which functions though He is dead is not man."
Jesus Christ is God because He is the only Son of God, having the same divine nature as His Father. "And they all said, 'Art thou, then, the Son of God?' He answered, 'You yourselves say that I am.' And they said, 'What further need have we of witnesses? For we have heard it ourselves from his own mouth' " (Luke 22: 70-71).
Man after the Fall was unable to regain for himself his former holiness. He became like a sick man who could not arise from bed. He needed Someone to raise him up. Since the sin he had committed had been an offense against an Infinite God, the atonement needed had to be by an Infinite One, the Son of God Himself. "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16). "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Tomorrow: The God-Man part two
Today's and tomorrow's liturgy are both Lenten Weekdays For the readings, liturgies, and meditations, see DAILY LITURGY.
"Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till Heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall be lost from the Law till all things have been accomplished."
"While keeping very busy and active on the outside, man is passive and inert on the inside, because he rarely enters into his own heart. Remedying the evil therefore falls to agencies and mechanical realities external to man. No government or state can put the screws on personal freedom, unless the citizens have already abdicated in themselves the basis of that freedom, namely, their responsibility to God."
