Bishops' represented on teen pregnancy panel

Appointed by Governor

The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops in public policy matters, is "pleased" with Gov. George Pataki's creation of a task force to study teen pregnancy and poverty.

The 14-member task force, which includes a diverse panel of experts ranging from a Planned Parenthood official to Catholic Conference executive director John Kerry, will look at ways to reduce teen and other out-of-wedlock pregnancies in New York State and assess the effectiveness of existing support programs.

New York State has one of the highest out-of-wedlock and abortion rates in the U.S.

Voices of bishops

While Mr. Kerry expressed concern that "some of the more traditional family-planning advocates will be advancing their agenda" through the task force, he added that his own participation will be a chance for the bishops to make their voices heard as well.

"The bishops' participation in the public policy arena is to enhance the common good, not advance an agenda," he stated. "I see this as an opportunity to advance a positive and loving concern" for teen parents and others in need.

In addition, he said, the task force's work will help to combat the effects of welfare reform legislation on those with out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Federal welfare reform laws include a provision to award bonus grants in 1999-2002 to the five states with the greatest drop in out-of-wedlock pregnancies without a corresponding increase in the abortion rate.

Goals

The Governor's task force will

* create strategies to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies and decide where the programs are most needed,

* establish measures to assess and coordinate present pregnancy-prevention programs,

* assist programs in high-need communities,

* help teen fathers to become more accountable for supporting their children,

* encourage schools to help teen parents understand the responsibilities of parenthood and keep them in school, and

* ask businesses and communities to promote day care, employment training and other opportunities to enable young parents to support their children.

The task force will also enforce laws to hold adult males criminally responsible for having intercourse with female teens.

Moral dimension

Having a Catholic Conference member participate in the task force, Mr. Kerry said, is a chance "to communicate the concerns of the bishops to the [other] members, to elevate the moral dimensions of poverty and teenage pregnancy, to underscore the need for sound values.

"We see this as a cultural issue as well as a public policy issue. The bishops would hope to speak to the moral impact on children and families of the proposals that might emanate from the task force."

Issues such as teen pregnancy and poverty can be "very divisive and very polarizing" for those who study solutions, he said, but "we have an open mind and an open heart, in addition to a very clear-thinking head."

As policy and strategies are debated, Mr. Kerry hopes to keep one thing in mind: "The fundamental motive and concern of the bishops is for these young children and families having serious difficulties, and that we respect the dignity and lives of these children."

(10-09-97)

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