Obama vs R.C. Bishops on Abortion
Cardinal Warns Freedom of Choice Act Would Close Hospitals
Hospitals run by the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. could either close altogether or close their obstetric departments should President Barack Obama carry out his intention to sign the Freedom Of Choice Act (FOCA) into law as soon as he assumes office. The law would require Catholic hospitals to provide abortion services, say the nation's bishops.
Aggressive Campaign
FOCA will pit the Obama administration against the Catholic bishops of the United States who, in their November 2008, national conference, called for an aggressive campaign to defeat FOCA in Congress or to battle it in court if it becomes law.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.), wrote to President Obama on January 13 stating: “Most fundamentally, we will work to protect the lives of the most vulnerable and voiceless members of the human family, especially unborn children and those who are disabled or terminally ill. We will consistently defend the fundamental right to life from conception to natural death.”
Freedom of Conscience on Abortion Services
This could affect a large number of hospitals and disrupt healthcare in the U.S. There are 573 Catholic hospitals, according to the U.S.C.C.B.
- FOCA takes away from doctors and healthcare professionals the right to conscientious objection to performing or participating in abortions.
- FOCA would require Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.
- FOCA removes protection of conscience for doctors and healthcare workers that existed in Roe v. Wade.
Echoing sentiments of several bishops at the conference, Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Chicago said, “It could mean discontinuing obstetrics in our hospitals, and we may need to consider taking the drastic step of closing our Catholic hospitals entirely. It would not be sufficient to withdraw our sponsorship or to sell them to someone who would perform abortions. That would be a morally unacceptable cooperation in evil.”
States’ Rights to Enact Abortion Laws
FOCA states that abortion is a woman’s “fundamental right” that must not be interfered with by any level of government. It will override state laws regarding abortion, such as the requirement that the parents be informed when their minor-age daughters seek abortions. The right of parents to be involved in their children’s health is fundamental to the Church’s view of responsible parenthood.
Taxpayers 'Coerced' to Pay for Abortions
The bishops also strongly oppose the public funding of abortion that FOCA will introduce. Cardinal George, in an earlier statment to the incoming Obama administration said, “FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars.”
U.S. Public Favor Abortion Laws
Cardinal George added that FOCA would “deprive the American people” of the freedom to enact “modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.”
- 4 out of 5 U.S. adults want to limit the legality of abortion, according to a poll released by the bishops in December 2008.
This poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, is supported by others published in 2008 by several organizations, such as: NBC News/Wall Street Journal in September; CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, August; ABC News/Washington Post Poll, August; Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey, July and August. (Source: Polling Report).
The Catholic bishops’ poll also showed that:
- Nearly 3 out of 4 U.S. adults favored laws giving parents the chance to be involved in their minor daughters’ abortion decisions.
- Nearly two-thirds were against tax-funding of abortions.
Drastic Action
In 2007, Barack Obama promised Planned Parenthood that the first thing he would do in office is to sign FOCA. The bishops have urged Catholics to contact their members of Congress and to send postcards. If President Obama fulfills his promise, the bishops will take the far more drastic action of closing hospitals and taking their fight to the courts.
President Obama
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