Category Archives: Advocating Dignity

U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee Chairman on Chemical Abortion Pill Policy Change

April 16, 2021

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that they will no longer be enforcing the “in-person dispensing requirement” for the chemical abortion pills during the remainder of the COVID-19 public health emergency. This requirement was put in place by public health officials over twenty years ago, under President Bill Clinton, as a necessary precondition to ensure that pregnant women do not have contraindications that would make the abortion pills even more unsafe and possibly deadly for the woman. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:

“It is difficult to see the FDA’s decision to not enforce important safety protocols as anything other than callous capitulation to the requests of abortion activists without regard for the health and safety of the women involved. An in-person evaluation by a medical professional is necessary to accurately determine the age of the baby (abortion pills are only approved for use in the first 70 days), whether the pregnancy is ectopic (which the woman has no way of knowing on her own), and to test and treat for Rh-incompatibility between mother and baby. Without this information and proper treatment, a woman’s health, future fertility, and life are placed in serious jeopardy. With this decision, not only are women being sold the lie that abortion will solve their problems, but also that chemical abortion is a safe and easy way to go about it. By pushing women away from medical oversight, abortion advocates are luring women into isolated, unsafe, and medically unwise decisions. The inalienable dignity of women and their unborn children deserves so much more.”

Link to News Release


 

No Taxpayer Abortion

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Taxpayer dollars should NOT pay for abortion.  Tell Congress not to tak innocent lives!  Sign the petition at NoTaxpayerAbortion.com.

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No Taxpayer Abortion Flyer

INFOGRAPHIC:  NOT TAXPAYER ABORTION

Educate others with this handy reverence sheet of facts and figures. . It explains how the Hyde Amendment protects human life, the perilous danger of it being eliminated, and what would happen if it were.


Fact Sheets on Abortion

Clinic Access and Sidewalk Counseling Ruling

On March 10, 2021 US Court of Appeals (Second Circuit) gave a decision in a case brought by New York’s Attorney General against pro-life sidewalk counselors/protestors in Queens. The full decision by the Court is here, and Mr. Ed Mechmann, Director of Public Policy for the Archdiocese of New York, wrote a memo on the ruling. As Mr. Mechmann makes clear, this precedent-setting decision applies to federal, state and local “clinic access” laws, and holds sidewalk counselors to very rigorous standards. Conduct outside clinics which seems inconsequential, even accidental, may be held to be a violation. Please take a moment to read through this helpful memo!

Clinic_Access_Second_Circuit_Memo

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on Abortion Funding in American Rescue Plan

Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:

“Our nation needs to heal, come together, and help one another. The American Rescue Plan is an important step in the right direction. It should provide much needed assistance for American families and businesses hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

“However, we are deeply concerned that this important legislation, as written, risks creating new divisions by abandoning a longstanding bipartisan compromise that respects the consciences of millions of Americans.

“For 45 years, the United States Congress – whether controlled by Democrats or Republicans – has maintained that taxpayers should not be forced against their conscience to pay for abortions. Abandoning this compromise in a time of national emergency only serves to divide people in the very moment we should be united. Please, let us instead focus on delivering the COVID relief so desperately needed.

“We urge President Biden and the leadership on Capitol Hill not to force upon Americans the wrenching moral decision whether to preserve the lives and health of the born or unborn, all of whom are our vulnerable neighbors in need. We ask that our leaders please not pit people against one another in such a way. We ask all Members of Congress to include the same protections against abortion funding that have been present in every COVID relief bill to date, and every annual spending bill for almost half a century.”

Urgent Action needed to prevent taxpayer funding for abortion in COVID Relief Bill

Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a new COVID relief bill, called the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which addresses the needs of many vulnerable people related to the pandemic. Unfortunately, unlike previous COVID relief bills, this bill appropriates billions of taxpayer dollars that are not subject to longstanding, bi-partisan pro-life protections that are needed to prevent this funding from paying for abortions. The Senate is expected to vote this week.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote to Congress to express its support for additional COVID-19 relief that prioritizes the poor and vulnerable and its strong opposition to any taxpayer dollars going to abortion as part of this legislation, saying that the Hyde Amendment policy must be included before this bill moves forward. Your voice is critically needed today to tell your senators to support amendments that prevent abortion funding, and to work for their inclusion in the final bill.

ACTION CENTER

The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith and threatens unborn life. Tell Congress to oppose it!

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The Equality Act, which is being voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives soon, in many ways does the opposite and needs to be opposed. Instead of respecting differences in beliefs about marriage and sexuality, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith. The Equality Act would: punish faith-based organizations, such as charities and schools who serve everyone in their communities, simply because of their beliefs; force girls and women to compete against boys and men for limited opportunities in sports, and to share locker rooms and shower spaces with biological males who identify as women; risk mandating taxpayers to fund abortions; force people in everyday life, and especially health care workers, to support gender transition; and expand what the government considers a “public” place, forcing even some parish halls to host functions that conflict with Catholic beliefs.

ACTION CENTER

More on the Equality Act:  USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities  NEWS RELEASE

Oppose Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Proponents of doctor-assisted suicide are pushing their agenda in states across the country, and New York is in their sights. They seek to make it legal for terminally ill patients to receive life-ending drugs. These policies are dangerous for patients, caregivers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and persons who are disabled. Suicide is not medical care. Please tell your Senate and Assembly representatives that you oppose this dangerous and deadly practice.

Compose and send a message to your elected officials now!

New York State Catholic Conference Action Center