Roe v. Wade Called 'Disastrous' At Bishops Meeting

CNSNews.com ^ | 11-12-02 | Robert B. Bluey

[Salvation]

Roe v. Wade Called 'Disastrous' At Bishops Meeting
By Robert B. Bluey
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
November 12, 2002

(CNSNews.com) - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opened its national meeting Monday with a strong declaration against abortion, calling the nearly 30-year-old Roe v. Wade decision "disastrous for our nation."

The organization's president, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., made the remarks to open the four-day meeting in Washington, D.C. Later in the week, the bishops are expected to adopt a statement calling for the reversal of the landmark Supreme Court decision.

Many of the actions planned at this week's meeting have been overshadowed by revised guidelines the bishops are expected to adopt as a result of a child-abuse scandal that resulted in the removal of more than 300 priests.

With the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaching in January, the bishops are planning to issue a strong condemnation about abortion. It is one of several items on the agenda.

"Roe v. Wade has been disastrous for our nation," Gregory said to the applause of bishops. "That decision, more than any other in our recent history, has been responsible for blinding our national conscience to the truth about our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

He thanked the bishops for keeping the "truth about human life alive" in the aftermath of the decision.

Shortly after Gregory's address, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, introduced a statement, "A Matter of the Heart," which bishops plan to vote on later this week. The document calls for the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Bevilacqua, chairman of the bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, said there is a "disparity between public opinion, which is largely on the side of protecting life, and public policy, which is often antithetical to life."

The statement also praises the work of youth in the pro-life movement and commends individuals for turning away from abortion.

"This pastoral message also reaches out to anyone considering abortion," Bevilacqua said, "telling those who are suffering that the church and its ministries will help them with compassion and without condemnation."

The bishops' meeting comes on the heels of an election that gave Republicans a majority in Congress, creating hope that a partial-birth abortion ban would be enacted. The House of Representatives passed legislation on July 24 by a 274-151 vote, but the Democrat-led Senate never took action.

The bishops urged lawmakers to approve the measure in a letter of support earlier this year. Bevilacqua said the bill narrowly defined the procedure -- a concern that prompted the Supreme Court to strike down a similar partial-birth abortion ban in Nebraska.

But not all advocates of a ban on partial-birth abortion think the legislation that passed the House was a step forward.

Jim Sedlak, vice president of the American Life League, said the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act had a loophole that would have rendered it worthless even if Bush did sign it into law. A provision in the bill would have allowed the procedure when "necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered."

While the American Life League vigorously opposed such a provision, Sedlak said the new political landscape has given him hope that Congress will pass stronger legislation in the coming year.

"Based on the political conditions over the last 10 years, this is the best opportunity yet to put a total ban on partial-birth abortions," he said.

The shift of power has given hope to other anti-abortion groups.

"The fact that Bush didn't do it in his first 100 days was a mistake because he had a tremendous amount of momentum," said the Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International. "Now he has the momentum back and he's in an even better position. If he does not take advantage of this, he's going to make a grave mistake."

Some abortion supporters have observed the Republican-led Congress as a threat. The National Organization for Women (NOW) and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) have launched outreach efforts in the wake of last week's election.

NARAL President Kate Michelman said the election left America with "one of the most hostile political environments" to ever face pro-abortion advocates. Most alarming to both groups, however, are the potential appointments Bush could make to the Supreme Court, should a liberal or moderate justice step down.

"NARAL fully expects President Bush to select nominees who appease the far-right wing of his party and serve his own stated desire to have government make abortion illegal," Michelman said.

Added NOW President Kim Gandy: "Roe v. Wade hangs by a single vote. Tipping the balance of the Supreme Court with one more extremist justice would ensure the loss of abortion rights for generations."

Abortion supporters might be clamoring at the thought of a Republican-led Congress, but Sedlak and Euteneuer are hoping anti-abortion lawmakers seize the opportunity.

"The big obstacle during the Clinton years was the presidency and then in the last few years it was the Senate," Euteneuer said. "Right now [Republicans] have no obstacles, so they have no excuses."

[Salvation]

For your information and discussion.

Any comments out there?

[Salvation]

Catholic discussion ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Catholic Discussion Ping list.

If anyone has a pro-life ping list, be my guest.

[Salvation]

**"A Matter of the Heart," which bishops plan to vote on later this week. The document calls for the reversal of Roe v. Wade.**

Praying that this might happen.

[ventana]

If it doesn't happen it will literally be hell to pay. Every Freeper should make it their business to phone the White House and let them know, especially, Rove, that it is not an option but a requirement. Here's one theological point on which Christians here on FreeRepublic agree. Let's roll.V's wife.

[maica]

A purely pragmatic reason for our country to turn away from a policy of abortion is that by refusing life to those 40 million aborted babies of the past 30 years, America has had to adopt a policy of embracing wide open borders to immigrants (including winking at all the illegal ones) in order to maintain the kind of population numbers that are needed to have a strong economy.

[Aquinasfan]

Any comments out there?

Most excellent news bump 8-)

Later in the week, the bishops are expected to adopt a statement calling for the reversal of the landmark Supreme Court decision.

[Gerish]

Vital to the prevention of abortions are our daily prayers and sacrifices and our protests to the President and members of Congress, as well as our involvement in the endeavors of pro-life groups.

PRAYER FOR LIFE

Oh God, Giver of Life, help us to do our part to save

unborn babies from death by abortion and aid pregnant

mothers in distress.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

St. Joseph, protector of the Infant, Jesus, pray for us.

St. Gerard, patron of expectant mothers, pray for us.

[drstevej]

Oh God, Giver of Life, help us to do our part to save

unborn babies from death by abortion and aid pregnant

mothers in distress.

---

I with you to this point. To which I add, "in Jesus' name."

[NewCenturions]

"The big obstacle during the Clinton years was the presidency"

Thank God for Bush.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

"Roe v. Wade has been disastrous for our nation," Gregory said to the applause of bishops. "That decision, more than any other in our recent history, has been responsible for blinding our national conscience to the truth about our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Someone should remind Gregory that his selection for the abuse review committee, Leon Panetta, is a supporter of Roe v. Wade and partial birth abortion.

[american colleen]

Anyone watching the USCCB conference this morning? I just saw a bunch of women in the audience... who the heck are they?

[Catholicguy]

<> I have read that Deal Hudson has been trying to explain away Bush's reticence in taking-up Trent Lott's idea to IMMEDIATELY bring-up a "Partial abortion" Bill in the Senate saying, in effect, that Bush proceeds cautiously.

So, apparently, do our Bishops. Gosh, Roe V. Wade was "disastrous?" What next, a statement claiming "Cannibalism is inapporpriate during Lent?"

Good Lord. They are within their right, (I would say they have a duty) to warn the Catholics in their Jurisdiction they court excommunication if they provide abortions, help procure abortions,vote to keep abortion legal etc.

Statements are all well and good but action is needed.

Force Catholic politicians to decide...abortion or Catholicism<>

[NYer]

NARAL President Kate Michelman said the election left America with "one of the most hostile political environments" to ever face pro-abortion advocates.

The tables are now turned, Kate. For 8 years, you had the protection of the Chief Molester, Clinton who protected and shielded your insane demands. Now, the voice of a nation has spoken loud and clear. Enough! Despite all of your corporate, gov't and private funding, Americans are awaking to the truth. They have demanded justice, and with God's blessing, they will be served.

[dsc]

"Someone should remind Gregory that his selection for the abuse review committee, Leon Panetta, is a supporter of Roe v. Wade and partial birth abortion."

For that matter, where is the outrage that the Catholic Church would allow a Klintonoid to occupy any position whatsoever?

[ventana]

Welcome, YKNTH, I would say you are going to find a majority here are pro-life, but this forum attracts libertarians, too, and they're typically pro-choice, as are Rockefeller pubbies. Majority here is pro-life. V's wife.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

There's plenty of outrage. The abortion loving press doesn't give it any attention and Gregory doesn't respond to e or snail mail or phone calls criticizing his decision.

[dsc]

This is one of those times I wish I had too much time and money on my hands.

I wonder how big and noisy a grassroots movement would have to get before the Vatican removed him.