To be clear, the question posed by the “Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection” specifically asked whether our lawmakers should permanently defund “family planning centers affiliated with abortion providers” including, of course, Planned Parenthood. Potato, potahto. They are all connected.
In any case, the answer to the question is an unequivocal YES, as indicated in our testimonies provided below.
Absent from the hearing were any of our five Missouri bishops. One protestant pastor was present to speak on behalf of other pastors. When questioned about whether he and his constituency also advocated against contraception, he could not answer for them. That is the bane of Protestantism; each interprets Scripture in his or her own best interest; there is no unifying Truth.
Catholic clergy, on the other hand, has the definitive answer . . . if only they would demonstrate the leadership to state it publicly. Indeed, according to the absolute Truth of Catholic doctrine, contraception is the root cause of abortion. Those for whom conventional contraception so often fails (as in when condoms break) often look to abortion for last-ditch contraception; hence, the “morning after” pill.
How sad . . . how tragic . . . how injust! . . . that the authority on this issue–the Catholic Church–could not see fit to weigh in on a topic of such consequence to the lives of countless unborn citizens. Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, who resides minutes away from the State Capitol, where were you?
Testimony of David Grothaus:
Good afternoon, I am David M. Grothaus, a life-long Catholic and retired Federal
agent and military officer. I also served as Director of Catholic Charities for a
region in south Florida after retiring from law enforcement. I spent a 42-year
career defending innocent life and I am here today as I continue that mission.
This issue is bigger than any of us here in this room and on this earth. It is not
about “politics” as some testifying here have suggested.
The Gospel of John tells us “In the beginning was the Word,” that “the Word was
God,” that “All things were made by him,” and without him nothing was made.
Ladies and gentlemen that includes life in the womb.
In examining the question of state funding of family planning centers affiliated
with abortion providers, I hope you will be motivated by this portion of a reading
that I noted as I prayed the Divine Office this morning. In sacred Scripture, the
Book of Proverbs, chapter 8 states:
By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things,
By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.
Missouri is a PROLIFE state – by you as lawgivers we will keep taxpayer dollars
from being used to fund the evil killing of innocent lives that were created by God.
Thank you for your time and letting me testify here today.
Testimony of Pamela Grothaus:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee:
Should lawmakers pass legislation to permanently defund “family planning” facilities that advocate for abortion in our state? Unquestionably, YES.
The reason comes not from me or any man or any woman in this room, but from God alone, the Author of Life from Whom flows all authority on this earth, including yours as lawmakers. This is true whether or not you choose to believe it.
Yes, as elected representatives of the people, you are obligated to uphold Divine Law, which condemns abortion as one of the four sins that cry to heaven for vengeance: that is, the willful taking of innocent life.
Yet, the agents of evil have largely succeeded in keeping God, Whose Authority and Laws inform and supersede all legislation, out of debates like this. They know in their hearts that the “reproductive rights” they have crafted do not and WILL not stand up to the right of every human to be born alive for the sole purpose of knowing, loving and serving the God who created him.
Please do not discount my words as a religious viewpoint that has no place in a discussion about the allocation of tax dollars. I am speaking unchangeable Truth—Truth with a capital “T”—that you ignore at your own peril.
I almost did not come here today to testify because of another priority on my schedule. But this morning I ran across a reading from the Old Testament Book of Judith, which compelled me to rearrange my day:
“Woe be to the nation that riseth up against my people: for the Lord Almighty will take revenge on them, in the day of judgment He will visit them. For he will give fire, and worms into their flesh, that they may burn, and may feel forever.”
Missouri is a pro-life state, with a majority pro-life legislature. Do NOT compromise with evil. Do NOT allow one cent of Missouri tax revenue to aid the evil of abortion, either directly or indirectly. Otherwise, you can be sure we will pay for it . . . not just with our taxes . . . but with our
eternal souls.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless Missouri for protecting His
unborn children.
showmecatholics.org 