Catholic League Seeks Legal Assistance for Christians Mocked at Northern Illinois Women's Center

Catholic League President Bill Donohue made public a letter he sent to Patrick W. Hayes, Legal Director, City of Rockford, Illinois.

ROCKFORD, Illinois (Catholic Online) - We reported this week on the house of horrors which is called the "Northern Illinois Women's Center". In addition to the evils committed inside, the staff has taken to placing blasphemous, sacrilegious and intentionally provocative signs and symbols in its windows in order to mock, taunt and cause injury to the brave Christian defenders of life who stand outside exercising their First Amendment rights.

William A. "Bill" Donohue, Ph.D. is well known to our readers. He is the President of the Catholic League. I call him a pugilist who uses his words not his fists. He is the kind of man you want on your side in a real fight. And with the advance of the Culture of Death, all who are engaged in building a new culture of life are in such a fight. Certainly our friends in Rockford, Illinois are in a real fight.They need our prayers and our action.

St. Paul reminded the early Christians in Ephesus: "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."(Eph.:12)

They lived, as do we , in a hostile culture. They were called, as are we, to transform it through the witness of both their words and their lives. St. Paul used the protections of the positive law of his own age to defend the right to proclaim the only message which liberates all men and women. So must we. St. Paul used his Roman citizenship to further his ability to continue to preach the Gospel which itself brought about the very conversion of that empire. (See, Acts 25). We must use our American citizenship to effectively protect our work in the culture.

We should use the positive law and the protections it offers to us to protect the right to proclaim the truth and be free from harassment while doing so.The Catholic League helps us to do this. Bill Donohue is a Champion of the Rights of Catholics and the Catholic Church and he understands how to use such legal and public interest strategy.

He is to be applauded and supported for the effort he has undertaken to seek assistance from the Legal Director of the City of Rockford, Illinois for the Christians defending children in Rockford. The following release has been issued by the Catholic League:

CHRISTIANS PROVOKED IN ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Catholic League president Bill Donohue is making public a letter he sent today to Patrick W. Hayes, Legal Director, City of Rockford, Illinois. Here is the text of that letter:

"I am aware that the Northern Illinois Women's Center has long been the subject of controversy in Rockford; the rights of pro-life demonstrators have allegedly been violated. That is an important issue, but that is not the reason why I am contacting you.

"My concern rests with the egregious provocation of Christians attendant to the enclosed graphic of Jesus Christ extending his middle finger; the inscription, "Even Jesus Hates You," appears below it. This graphic is currently being displayed in the window of the Center, in full view of adults and children; it has also been displayed, at various times, in the past.

"Under Part I, Chapters 19-3 and 19-4, "Offensive Uses of Property" and "Permitting Offensive Use of Property," respectively, of the City of Rockford's Code of Ordinance, it is illegal to "disturb or destroy the peace of the neighborhood in which such building or premises are situated, or be dangerous or detrimental to health."

"This incendiary picture, designed to inflame Christian passions by assaulting their sensibilities and denigrating their religion--in a vile and obscene manner--constitutes such an infraction. As such, I am requesting that you take appropriate action against the Center to put an end to such needless provocation. Thank you for your consideration."

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Certainly, placing a poster of Jesus Christ engaging in an obscene gesture allegedly directed toward Christians outside with the inscription, "Even Jesus Hates You," is an "offensive use of property". Certainly placing a rubber chicken over the Body of Christ on a Cross is blasphemy and sacrilege. Bill Donohue and the Catholic League have asked the City to intervene citing a City Ordinance, a positive law, which gives them the authority to act.

We applaud Bill Donohue and the Catholic League for coming to the defense of the pro-Life heroes of Rockford. We also affirm his effort to seek assistance from the Legal Director of the City, Patrick W. Hayes. We ask our readers to stand with him. Our motto at Catholic Online is "inform", "inspire", and "ignite". It is time to ignite a flame of indignation against such egregious behavior against Christians who are defending children in the womb against being killed in Rockford.

Mr. Hayes, according to their web site: "Acts as chief legal counsel to all City departments, the City Council and the Finance and Personnel Committee." He needs to hear from our readers.

His E-Mail address is:
patrick.hayes@rockfordil.gov

His mailing address:
Legal Director, Patrick W. Hayes,
425 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104.

His phone number:
(815) 987-5785

His fax:
(815) 987-8066

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