'ABORTION ON DEMAND'

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the bishops of the eight Catholic dioceses of New York State called the Women’s Health Protection Act “a piece of legislation that would impose upon the entire nation a policy of unrestricted abortion on demand, for any reason, at any point in pregnancy, going well beyond the parameters of Roe v. Wade and subsequent Supreme Court decisions."

The comments came in a letter sent to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and released by the New York State Catholic Conference on Sept. 29. In addition to Cardinal Dolan, the letter was signed by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger (Diocese of Albany); Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio (Diocese of Brooklyn); Bishop Michael W. Fisher (Diocese of Buffalo); Bishop Terry R. LaValley (Diocese of Ogdensburg); Bishop Salvatore R. Matano (Diocese of Rochester); Bishop John O. Barres (Diocese of Rockville Centre); and Bishop Douglas J. Lucia (Diocese of Syracuse).

“We are under no illusions. We know that on the matter of abortion policy, our views are radically disparate from yours,” the letter continued. “Nevertheless, we believe we have an obligation to speak out as a voice for the unborn, as well as for pregnant mothers who deserve so much more than this bill offers them. This legislation sends a message to women that abortion is their only option and their best hope, that it is something to be promoted and celebrated.

“The truth is that abortion is something to be mourned, and it is often the most agonizing decision a woman will ever make. We believe our government should be offering pregnant women all of their options and the support services they need to empower them to choose to carry their babies to term, raise their families with dignity, or offer their child to a home which can appropriately and lovingly care for that child. Our public policies should reflect these priorities.”

The Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House on June 8 and was was passed by the House in a 218-211 vote Sept. 24. If Congress passes the bill and it becomes law, it would invalidate nearly all existing state limitations on abortion. The House and Senate bills -- H.R. 3755 and S. 1975 -- would codify the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision in law legalizing abortion nationwide. It would establish the legal right to abortion in all 50 states under federal law.

The bill would nullify requirements to provide women seeking abortion with specific information on their unborn child and on alternatives to abortion; laws requiring a waiting period before a woman receives an abortion; laws allowing medical professionals to opt out of providing abortions; and laws stating that only licensed physicians can perform abortions.

“Here in New York State,” the bishops continued in their letter, “our state legislature enacted the 'Reproductive Health Act' in 2019, enshrining in state statute a policy of unlimited abortion on demand throughout nine months of pregnancy. We expressed our profound opposition at the time, and we continue to grieve for the mothers and infants harmed by this law.

“But a majority of states in this great country have enacted laws to the contrary: policies to allow parents to be notified when their minor daughter is considering abortion; to provide informed consent to pregnant women; to prohibit state taxpayer funding of abortion; to require health and safety regulations in clinics; to require licensure and certification of abortion providers. All of these policies are allowable under Roe and subsequent cases. Yet all such policies would be invalidated in one fell swoop by Congressional passage of S. 1975. This authoritarian federal overreach undermines the will of the people through their elected state representatives, and does not bode well for our democracy.

“Moreover, S. 1975 may very well nullify New York’s strong Civil Rights Law protection for health-care professionals who do not wish to be involved in abortion, a law which so many rely upon to exercise their moral values and religious freedom. Is this how we want to repay our heroic health-care workers who have served so valiantly throughout the ongoing pandemic?

“In closing, we strongly urge you to reject this legislation and work to protect and strengthen the fundamental human rights of mothers and children.”

Head to www.nyscatholic.org/action-center/ to make your voice heard!

- With Catholic News Services