Wis. Research on Humans

PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN, May 29 — Pro-Life Wisconsin launched a campaign to end research on human embryos at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the group announced.

The campaign includes a postcard drive to notify state legislators and Gov. Scott McCallum, and the formation of UW Alumni for Life, an association of university alumni who oppose embryo research.

Gov. McCallum assigned $27 million over five years to the university's BioStar Initiative. This cash increase prompted Pro-Life Wisconsin to try to make sure that none of the money funds human embryo research.

Peggy Hamill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, said, “Human embryos are not mere research material, they are persons who deserve respect.”

Campus Bank Funds Abortion

VILLANOVA TIMES, May 24 — Villanova University's only on-campus banking facility donates to Planned Parenthood, the world's largest player in the abortion industry, the student daily reported.

First Union Bank has been a boycott target by the pro-life movement. Due to a confidentiality clause in the bank's agreement with the Catholic university, it is unclear when Villanova's contract with First Union will end and whether the bank's donations to Planned Parenthood will affect a new contract.

The local bank has donated to a local Planned Parenthood group in the past, and though it has no plans to do so in the future, it does not rule Planned Parenthood out. A spokeswoman for the bank said that its donations went only to Planned Parenthood's “educational” expenses, not “medical” expenses. But many Villanova students took issue with the pro-abortion group's “educational” projects as well.

Local Pennsylvania Congressman Curt Weldon called the Planned Parenthood-supported movement to yank the Vatican's permanent observer status at the United Nations an “anti-Catholic effort.” The Villanova Times also noted that Planned Parenthood has lobbied for laws and court rulings requiring Catholic institutions to provide contraceptive coverage in employees' health plans.

Missionaries In Public Schools

TIME, June 4 — The Child Evangelism Fellowship has built strong relationships with many public schools, despite court scrutiny, the national weekly reported.

The fellowship focuses on getting children to state that they accept Jesus as their savior. It attracts children to its Good News Clubs with after-school activities, songs and candy, often on school property immediately after the end of classes.

Detractors called the group “an evangelical hard sell.” The group has 3,000 paid and 45,000 volunteer missionaries.

The fellowship is awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court decision on whether it can continue to use public facilities.

The court has ruled that high schools cannot bar student-led religious groups if other student groups are allowed, but that ruling may not affect elementary schools or adult-led groups like the Good News Clubs.