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by Gordon Nary![]() |
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Denise: |
Mid-2000 |
Gordon: |
There are several other Cleveland Churches on the National Register of Historic Places. If someone who was seeking to join a Cleveland parish asked you for a recommendation of which parish to join, what are the special qualities of Holy Rosary that you would mention? |
Denise: |
The parish of Holy Rosary is
truly a loving Catholic community, some members going back
generations. Through various
outreach programs to the poor, the elderly, pregnant women and
others, the pastor, staff and parish members really get
to know each other. For example, there is an annual street
festival to celebrate the feast of the Assumption, outdoor
community Most important, the sermons and activities reflect our spiritual journey and how that should be lived out day to day. |
Gordon: |
I understand that Holy Rosary is
a very pro-life church; Could you provide an overview of some of
their prolife
outreach? |
Denise: |
The parish has sponsored the 40 days for Life program, raised money through the baby bottle program for pregnancy help centers, held special prayer services for those suffering from post-abortion trauma, and conducted spiritual adoption programs, The issue of abortion has remained an important part of the regular prayers of the faithful.
|
Gordon: |
In addition to your career as a
leading Cleveland pro-life attorney, you have also had a strong
background as a
pro-life community and national leader. Could you provide us
with an overview of your pro-life professional career? |
Denise: |
I have been honored to serve as one of the founders of Cleveland Area Students for Life before & after Roe v. Wade, as Legislative Counsel at Americans United for Life (Chicago), Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life. and the Thomas More Society (Chicago) as well as Cleveland Right to Life. I also taught a course in the history of abortion in America at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. I have also served on the boards of the National Lawyers Association and Democrats for Life of America I recently successfully represented a woman who was the victim of a forced abortion in Cleveland. |
Gordon: |
In the past 42 years, how has the
national pro-life
movement in the United States changed? |
Denise: |
An increasing percentage of young
people have become involved at all levels and in all |
Gordon: |
Have you noticed any change in
the Catholic Church in the US as a leader in the pro-life
movement? |
Denise: |
The Catholic Church was in the
forefront of protecting unborn children in the decade prior to
Roe v. Wade,
when the vast
majority of states rejected the efforts of those who were trying
to make it legal to end the lives of unborn children.
Unfortunately, the United States Supreme Court ignored the will
of the people when it decided
Roe.
The Catholic Church |
Gordon: |
In 2014, there was a UN charge
about the Vatican's anti-abortion teaching. Could you provide us
with an overview of |
Denise: |
I believe the actions of the UN
were based on an attempt to discredit the Church’s teaching on
several subjects by using the
child sex abuse scandal as a bludgeon. There has been a
struggle at the UN for years between those who support the human
rights
of unborn children and those who want to sacrifice their rights.
I am not defending the Church’s behavior regarding the abuse of
children
in its care. But because some in the Church made a mistake does
not automatically discredit Church teaching. |
Gordon: |
You also serve as President of
the
Human Family Research Center
which somewhat extends the
traditional focus of the pro-life
movement to a much broader series of challenges including Human
Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Bullying. Could you
provide us an overview on how all of these issues are
interrelated with some of the more traditional challenges such
as abortion? |
Denise: |
The Catholic Church was one of
the earliest voices for the belief in the value and dignity of
every human being. This belief
|
Gordon: |
My first introduction to your pro-life leadership was through your book American Democracy in the Wake of Roe Prospects for Just and Rational Change which is a recommended resource for many pro-life organizations including the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. Thank you for taking time for this interview and your leadership in the pro-life movement. |