Month: September 2008

On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

We must insist on ethical stem cell research

As the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit was scheduled to meet in Madison this week, new questions were raised about whether consent to use embryos left over from fertility clinics in stem-cell research was ever properly obtained.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported September 22 that Robert Streiffer, a professor of bioethics and philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, authored a study published in the May-June issue of the Hastings Center Report, a bioethics journal. Through a Freedom of Information request to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Streiffer made a request for the consent forms for the 21 stem-cell lines approved by President George W. Bush.

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Examining our consciences about working in the Vineyard

Dear Friends,

under the gospel bookContinuing the theme of last week’s column, in terms of the spiritual exercise of examining our consciences, the readings of this past Sunday have prompted me to proceed along the same line.

The Gospel story tells us of those who are called to work in the master’s vineyard only at the last hour and they still receive a full-day’s pay. Those who have worked for longer periods in the master’s vineyard complain and find fault with the master for his generosity to the late arrivals.

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On
Msgr. Daniel Ganshert

Autumn reminds us of our spiritual life

Ax felled autumn is no fall at all, death only has color when entered by the living.

The bright hues of orange, yellow, and red which will festoon our trees these coming weeks make an important statement. Namely, what was there all along finally becomes visible for us to see and enjoy.

Living and Learning by Msgr. Daniel T. GanshertLeaves which had been green for months gradually show their true colors as the seasonal process of dying takes its course. If this process were to have been stopped by laying an ax to the tree, the leaves would simply have turned brown as the result of having been cut off from their roots, their life source.

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