If this news doesn’t concern you, you’re not paying attention:

The Obama administration has begun the process of rescinding sweeping new federal protections that were granted in December to health-care workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal, moral or religious beliefs.

The Office of Management and Budget announced this morning that it was reviewing a proposal to lift the controversial “conscience” regulation, the first step toward reversing the policy. Once the OMB has reviewed the proposal it will published in Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period.

“We are proposing rescinding the Bush rule,” said an official with the Health and Human Services Department, which drafted the rule change.

The administration took the step because the regulation was so broadly written that it could provide protections to health-care workers who object not only to abortion but also to a wide range of health-care services, said the HHS official, who asked not to be named because the process had just begun.

The suggestion of loose wording is nothing more than a thin veil, an excuse to re-write the rule as abortion advocates would like it.  This is not the beginning, nor will it be the end.  Contact your representatives in Congress, but above all pray.

Hat tip to Carl Olson.

…that I’m proud of our Pope, but yet there is tremendous pride when you read a simple story like this:

Following the General Audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Mrs Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.

His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.

Why does the Church need a Pope?  To remind people that there is always someone to whom you are answerable – even, indeed, if that Someone be only God Himself.  Though they may not fear their pastors or Bishops, the Pope in his role as Supreme Shepherd still shoulders the responsibility of pointing the right way.  May she, and those with her, take his message to heart, reform their ways, and become defenders of all innocent life.

Update: John Allen of NCReporter chimes in:

Not only was it unusual to issue a statement after a meeting with an official who’s not a head of state, routine Vatican declarations after diplomatic meetings also generally sum up the range of issues discussed rather than concentrating on a particular point.

In that sense, the statement can only be read as a rejection of Pelosi’s statements last summer, and, in general, of her argument that it’s acceptable for Catholics in public life to take a pro-choice position.

So while the fact he met with her signals an expected continuation of contact between the Vatican and the U.S. government, it cannot be said that her positions were given any leeway at all.  Despite any protests to the contrary, the defense of all life from conception to natural death is not a complicated issue.

Fr. Z has an excellent post centered around an equally excellent article  by the Administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Most Rev. Robert J. Herman.  Sadly it has become rather rare to see a figure in the Church as prominent as Bishop Herman make as bold, direct and honest a statement as the one here.  Put bluntly, there is a war going on – a war of culture – and we as Catholics need to pick up the armor of Christ provided us through the Church and get involved.

Fr. Z extends Bishop Herman’s call with the reminder that the liturgy is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics, and that without a strong liturgical life a strong presence in the world becomes all but impossible.  Lex orandi, lex credendi strikes again.  When we once again focus on the God above us we come to see the people around us in a whole new light – the light of Christ who shed His Blood to save each and every one of us, even those who now stand in the way of a Culture of Life.  Let us bring our prayers before Him and bring His Answer out into the world!

Today we in America watched a twofold spectacle unfold: the bloodless transfer of power from one President to the next and the inauguration of the first African American President.  There is, as always, much more to this story and much more yet to be told.  But let us not forget this:

I just discovered that 40 Days for Life will be hosting a teleconference and webcast at 9PM Eastern time tonight.  Yes, that’s less than an hour from this posting time.  If you can, please join us.  This is the page you’re looking for.