Bishops hit Spitzer on major proposals

The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops in matters of public policy, has spoken out against two proposals from Gov. Eliot Spitzer: one that would enshrine abortion-on-demand into state law and another that would permit same-sex marriage.

ABORTION

The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act, submitted to the State Legislature by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, "seeks to establish a 'fundamental right of privacy' within New York State law, encompassing the right to 'terminate a pregnancy,'" said a statement by the Conference.

The bill "seeks to ensure that abortions are legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy if they are deemed necessary to protect the life or 'health' of the mother," the Conference continued. "Courts have interpreted the term 'health' so broadly as to include social, economic and emotional distress factors, rendering the term meaningless.

"The bill would allow post-viability abortions to be performed on an out-patient basis in clinics, endangering both women and unborn children."

Broad scope

The Conference added that "reasonable regulations, such as parental notification for abortions performed on minor children, informed consent for pregnant women regarding the risks and alternatives to the procedure, and restrictions on taxpayer funding would not be permissible under the Governor's plan."

The bill "would allow any healthcare practitioner to perform the procedure: a dentist, nurse, podiatrist, social worker, physician assistant, chiropractor, midwife, even an optometrist. This dangerous and extreme change clearly puts women's health at risk."

The Conference, calling the bill "uncompromising in its terms and extremely sweeping in scope," urged legislators not to support it.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

The Conference's executive director, Richard E. Barnes, spoke out against Gov. Spitzer's plan to impose "same-sex marriage" on New Yorkers.

The Conference, Mr. Barnes said, "is strongly opposed to Gov. Spitzer's proposal to recognize so-called 'same sex marriage' in New York State. This bill, along with [the one] designed to promote abortion-on-demand, signals a very troubling, radical turn for this new administration."

Mr. Barnes called marriage an "enduring institution" that was "literally designed by God and predates all recorded human history. Its fundamental characteristic is the union of two complementary partners, one male and one female. You can no more redefine the term 'marriage' than you can redefine the term 'mother' or 'father.'"

Opposition

Mr. Barnes said that "there is no valid reason why the state would have an interest in recognizing homosexual relationships through marriage contracts or civil unions.

"This is not to say that homosexual persons should not be treated with compassion and respect. Of course, they should. Our shared human dignity demands that unjust discrimination against anyone must be avoided. However, 'same-sex marriage' contradicts the very essence and purpose of marriage."

He urged state legislators "to reject the Governor's move to trample on this most enduring human institution."

(5/17/07) [[In-content Ad]]