Catholic Transcript Online

On July 17, 2007, presidential candidate Barack Obama promised publicly to Planned Parenthood at a meeting that the first thing he would do as president would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (F.O.C.A.). It would be the most radical abortion legislation ever, establishing abortion as a fundamental right, a foundational principle. It would annul every Federal, State, and local statute, regulation, and ordinance limiting abortion.

Specially, F.O.C.A. would force every state to allow partial-birth abortions and late-term abortions; deny conscience rights of physicians, nurses, and hospitals that oppose abortion on religious, moral, and ethical grounds; force states to allow non-physicians to perform abortions; force American taxpayers to fund abortions; eliminate regulations that protect women from unsafe clinics and unscrupulous abortionists; strip parents of their right and responsibility to be involved in their minor-aged daughter’s abortion decisions; and wipe out informed consent provisions.

 At this point, F.O.C.A., or similar legislation, must make its way through the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be placed on the President’s desk. I wish to thank all of you who have signed the postcards to our Senators and respective Representatives urging them to oppose F.O.C.A. or any similar measure. These postcards have been made available in our parishes, and the response has been outstanding. They are part of the national postcard campaign, which is flooding Washington with millions of cards against this unbelievable legislation. For those who have not had a chance to participate as yet, you may obtain the cards from your parish or from our Director of Pro-Life Activities, Father James Cronin (203-878-3571) or Program Coordinator of Pro-Life Activities, Sister Suzanne Gross, F.S.E., (203-639-0833).

 There is good news on the Federal level. The United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a Federal Regulation which went into effect on Jan. 18, 2009. It reinforces protections for health care workers and institutions who refuse to provide abortions and other services for which they have conscience objections.

 This regulation would apply to Plan B, among other things. The Attorney General of Connecticut is fighting this regulation and seeking to obtain a court order to block it. The media have quoted him as saying that the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut endorsed Plan B.

We never endorsed Plan B. We said that our hospitals would comply with the Plan B law, “An Act Concerning Compassionate Care of Victims of Sexual Assault.” We said that an ovulation test would not be required but that a pregnancy test would suffice before the Plan B pills might be provided. We indicated that there was serious doubt about how Plan B pills work and that the Church has not definitively resolved the matter. We did say that while our hospitals would comply, we would continue to believe that the law should be changed.

 Recent research is actually indicating that Plan B at times may assist gestation and may increase the likelihood of successful implantation of the fertilized ovum in the wall of the uterus. Some recent research has also concluded that the ovulation test has no value in this matter.

 It is particularly disturbing in these days to see the increasing lack of respect for individual conscience. So called “liberal” public office holders, editorial writers, and other journalists are saying boldly that physicians, nurses, and hospitals must be required to provide abortions even if the practice violates their convictions in conscience. Since when is it “liberal” to force a doctor to take the life of an innocent human being? Since when is it “liberal” to take the life of an innocent human being?

 It is encouraging to see, at the same time, polls indicating that the general public is increasingly anti-abortion, at every stage of pregnancy. People opposing late-term abortions and partial-birth abortions, in fact, have reached the 75 to 80 percent level of those polled.

 The situation, nevertheless, at the national and state level is ominous. We must act and let our voices be heard.

 In his Inaugural Address on Jan. 20, President Obama said, “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world.” Fundamental in our responsibilities is the duty to respect religious liberty and the rights of conscience.

 2008 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

 The final results of the 2008 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal have been tabulated. They show a total of $9,488,180. That is $20,234 ahead of last year, when you subtract the $247,639 extraordinary bequest to the 2007 Appeal. Effectively, therefore, it is an all-time record.

 Considering the deterioration in the economic climate that affected much of the year, that is remarkable testimony to your truly magnificent generosity. I am profoundly grateful to you and will continue to express my heartfelt appreciation for you in the Masses and prayers I am privileged to say all through the year.