Catholic Transcript Online

We congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his election Nov. 4 and promise to work with him to make our country a better place. It is gratifying to witness the historic affirmation that the color of a person’s skin does not preclude a candidate from achieving the highest office in our land.

 All had to be encouraged to hear Mr. Obama say in his acceptance speech on election night, “I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.”

 Well, we have some major disagreements, and they concern the fundamental issues of life. During the election campaign Senator Obama promised publicly that if elected president he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) into law. Such a commitment is alarming and frightening, for the following reasons:

FOCA would outlaw all laws, federal and state, providing even modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. These would include laws enacted by people and their representatives over the past 35 years: laws regarding informed consent, parental involvement, physician licensure, clinic safety, taxpayer funding, etc.

FOCA would require states to allow “partial-birth” and other late-term abortions, despite the fact that many states have passed laws banning such abortions. Infants born alive after a “failed abortion” would have no protection, as incredible as it sounds.

 FOCA would ban all laws protecting the right of conscientious objection to abortion both for individuals and institutions. Hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care workers would be required to violate their personally and institutionally held moral principles. Catholic hospitals and other faith-based hospitals would face the possibility of closure, as would Catholic Charities and other faith-based social service agencies.

 FOCA would coerce taxpayers across the country into subsidizing and promoting abortions with their tax dollars.

 In deregulating abortion clinics, FOCA would remove regulations that are medically necessary to protect the life or health of women.

 FOCA would require states to allow abortions by non-physicians.

 FOCA clearly is an attack on the free exercise of religion for tens of millions of Americans.

 FOCA is the most radical and extreme abortion legislation ever considered in the United States.

 President-elect Obama says he will listen to us, especially when we disagree. Now is the time to make our voices heard, not only by Barack Obama but also by our United States Senators and Representatives in Congress.

One hopeful development has been moving forward in the past year. Members of both the Democratic and Republican parties have been trying to reach a consensus on ways to reduce abortion in our society.

 Given the testimony that many women are pressured toward abortion by social and economic hardships, bipartisan legislation providing practical support to help women carry their pregnancies to term, such as the Pregnant Women Support Act in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, deserves careful attention. As I have said before, the Archdiocese of Hartford continues to offer significant help to women experiencing anxiety over their pregnancies: financial, medical, counseling, educational, etc. Our pregnancy care centers, social service agencies, homes and hospitals are there to help. Alternatives to abortion are available, and adoption is an option.

 It should be very clear: we cannot reduce abortions by promoting abortions. Categorically and unequivocally, FOCA must be opposed and stopped.

 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

As we welcome the season of Advent and prepare for the heightened joy of Christmas, you prove your understanding of what it means to be people of Christmas all year round. You bring the presence of Jesus Christ to people in need every day.

 Witness the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2008. At this point we have reached a total of $9,367,375. The total last year at the same date was $9,314,369, when you subtract the extraordinary, in fact unprecedented, bequest to the Appeal of $247,640. We are, therefore, ahead of last year by the normal method of accounting, and we have a month to go!

 Given the economic difficulties of these times, your response is phenomenal recognition that increasing numbers of people are suffering acutely, making the Appeal all the more critical. Be assured of my heartfelt gratitude and continuing prayers for a truly Blessed and Holy Christmas. May God reward you with abundant graces throughout 2009 and all the years ahead.