“The Court has simultaneously transformed judicially created rights like the right to abortion into preferred constitutional rights, while disfavoring many of the rights actually enumerated in the Constitution. But our Constitution renounces the notion that some constitutional rights are more equal than others.”
— Justice Clarence Thomas, dissenting in Whole Woman’s Health vs. Hellerstedt
“Only six other countries allow an abortion to be performed by dismembering a baby as it is aborted, North Korea, China, and Vietnam amongst them. I joined with 131 of my colleagues, including 25 Democrats, to vote in favor of ending a procedure that many physicians told me, before my vote, that they absolutely refuse to perform because of the sheer brutality of it.”
— State Rep. Nick Miccarelli, on the passage of HB 1948
Two events happened late last month that are worth considering before the election season begins in earnest this fall.
In its June 27 Whole Woman’s Health vs. Hellerstedt decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that required abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, and abortion facilities to maintain the safety standards of ambulatory surgical centers. Both provisions were common sense medical safety matters, but the Court now seems committed to ensuring easy access to abortion anywhere, any time, for any reason.
Long gone are the days when supporters of abortion described it as tragic and regrettable. Now it’s a positive good; a right that trumps any obstacle — including any other right — that gets in the way. Abortion has become a cornerstone of America’s unofficial state religion of “choice.” And the unborn child is now little more than a lump of organic material miraculously made human or inhuman by the sorcery of adult will.
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On a much more hopeful note, on June 22 the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, 132-65, to pass HB 1948.
HB 1948 bans dismemberment abortion, which ends the life of the unborn baby by tearing off one limb at a time. It also increases the risk of injury to the mother, and it’s used in more than 1,500 abortions in our Commonwealth each year.
The bill also bans abortions after 20 weeks, when the baby can feel pain and the risks to the health of the mother grow significantly. The legislation now heads to the state Senate, where a similar bill, SB 888, has also been introduced. In a state where Kermit Gosnell (now in prison) ran an abortion racket that resembled a butcher shop, HB 1948 is a welcome exercise in medical prudence and common sense.
All leaders — in the church, in education, in business and in elected office — are accountable for their actions to the people they serve. When they do something right that serves the common good they need to be thanked. When they do something wrong, they should expect to hear about it. The men and women who voted for HB 1948 did the right thing, and I urge Catholics across the archdiocese to let them know their gratitude.
House members within the geographic area of the archdiocese who voted for HB 1948 include Reps. William Adolph, Stephen Barrar, Becky Corbin, Gene DiGirolamo, Michael Driscoll, John Galloway, Robert Godshall, Kate Harper, Tim Hennessey, John Lawrence, Nick Miccarelli, Thomas Quigley, Marguerite Quinn, Jamie Santora, Craig Staats, John Taylor, Marcy Toepel, Dan Truitt, Katharine Watson and Martina White. Reps. Michael Vereb and Thomas Murt were not present for the vote, but had cosponsored the bill.
Each of these elected officials can be contacted through the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference’s website at www.pacatholic.org. As urgent as it is to resist ill-conceived bills, it’s equally vital to encourage our officials on the good that they do — which is considerable.
The coming national election this fall is unsettling, complicated and important, all at the same time. Neither presumptive presidential candidate is ideal; neither comes without serious reasons for concern. All of us who are Catholic need to begin thinking carefully about our political responsibilities now, guided by the essentials of our faith. And as I’ve said many times in the past, the best place to start (but not stop) our thinking is with the 1998 U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter, Living the Gospel of Life.
A lot is at stake in the months ahead. We need to pray daily for our Commonwealth, our nation and our Church.
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The responsibility of all Bishops and Pastors cannot be shrugged away in the important election year. There are too many moral issues involved to allow them to opt out from advising congregations from the pulpit. One selection can deny us so many of our rights. This is the first time in my 80 years that the selection at the top of the ballot immediately slams the door to the UNited States of America’s moral position in the world. The voter cannot feel complacent about leaving the top selection empty. It might already be too late to Change the paths of some of our recent decisions in favor of immoral behavior, or decisions against fair and moral behavior, but now is the moment when we must accept our responsibility for the consequences
Thank you Archbishop Chaput for a thought provoking article and call to prayer. Kudos to the Pennsylvania House members who voted for HB 1948. Hopefully the state Senate will do likewise with their SB 888 bill, but I do wonder what will become of the legislation when it is passed on to Governor Wolf, a Democrat, for his signature. Hopefully he will sign the bill and it will become Pennsylvania law. After that however there still could be problems if the law is challenged and it gets struck down like the recent Texas case. This is a real ongoing problem.
Regarding the upcoming election, while neither candidate is perfect, we do know with certainty that one candidate supports intrinsic evilness such as abortion, promiscuous homosexuality, transgenderism, legalized same sex marriage, and contraceptive population control. We also know that this candidate if elected, will spread these evils using the immense power and financial resources of the presidency and federal government. Knowing this it is hard to believe how any Catholic could vote for this candidate. Likewise given the clear and present danger of this candidate’s moral beliefs to the Church, it is hard to understand why the Church continues to publically remain neutral on the election. Shouldn’t the Catholic Church be playing a more proactive leadership role given the moral magnitude and ramifications?
For example in the 1998 U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter, Living the Gospel of Life referenced by Archbishop Chaput, the USSCB (now USCCB) states that “as bishops, we have the responsibility to call Americans to conversion, including political leaders, … and as chief teachers in the Church, we must therefore explain, persuade, correct and admonish those in leadership positions who contradict the Gospel of life through their actions and policies. Catholic public officials who disregard Church teaching on the inviolability of the human person indirectly collude in the taking of innocent life……”
Based on the above one has to ask where are all our Bishops and why aren’t they speaking out more clearly and boldly? Shouldn’t they be privately, and then publically, correcting and admonishing those in leadership positions who advocate moral evilness? How can the flock know the proper course to follow if their Shepherd stays silent? How will the flock know that voting for a candidate who supports intrinsic evilness is always wrong?
Touche, M. D. Guidotti! You said it!
Our church likes to be politically correct and cowed to timidity, but groups like EWTN and Sisters of the Poor slug it out in the public arena with volunteer lawyers. Such is Life in the United States!
Based on some things said by our U.S.Church leaders, I believe many of them do not vote pro-life. For example, the LA prelate said immigration is the number one isue of the election; and Cardinal Dolan leading the St. Patrick’s Day parade last year when gays marched openly and giving a platformm to President Obama in the 2012 election. If they are not voting pro-life, why would they strongly support educating their flocks to do so? Remember the old Catholic Democrats. It is difficult to change party affiliation. I love Archbishop Chaput but, I would like to see him push this opinion like he did the HB1948 issue a few weeks ago. As far as I am concerned, there is only oneparty to choose from in any election. The other party is too deeply pro-abortion to even consider.
I am surprised to hear that Immaculate Mary Nursing Home at Holme Circle is being allowed to erect a building higher than the City variances would otherwise permit. It is going to be across the street from my house and will interfere with the children from St. Jerome’s School leaving and going to school daily and remove trees and interfere with the local fauna and flora, as well as our peace and quiet. We relocated here due to medical reasons. WE chose to be within the Parishes (St. Jerome’s) proximity to be able to attend to our parish for Mass and Sacraments. With this 4 story building and attic, we are going to be disrupted from our activity at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church.
Please keep to the subject of the article.
What does this have to do with abortion and the election?
It appears the Pa Catholic bishops’ “full court press” on HB 1947 is having an impact. Why not the same full throttle approach to Pa Catholic Conference-promoted legislation, such as HB1948/SB888 and HB1623? And compared to HB 1947, there seems to be relative silence about the Pa Catholic Conference’s objections to HB2510/SB974 and HB162 – why?
On a federal level, why don’t we hear more about the USCCB’s support for the Russell amendment, HR4828/S2927, HR1299/S667, HR2802/S1598 and its objections to ”the Separation Wall in the Cremisan Valley” and HR 4731?
Speaking of elections with the Democratic Convention coming to town soon perhaps it would be a good idea for Archbishop Chaput to do an exorcism on the convention site.
Thank to the Pa House representatives for a most encouraging vote on House Bill 1948. God bless each and every one who voted and made us , prolifers believe that the effort is really availing a positive response from people who can influence . Given the Texas decision of the Supreme court we needed this badly and we are so grateful for your keeping on, keeping on despite the uphill climb. Our Archbishop also deserves thx for his reminder to affirm this and other decisions that make the world of difference in a very hostile environment. Thank you, thank you , thank you.
Trump is the only choice. LIke him or not, Hillary will nominate Judges who continue this barbarism.
I agree. I will be pinching my nose and voting for Trump. I fear Hillary will force our Catholic Hospitals, Colleges, Schools, etc all into cooperating with sin, and will appoint Justices & Judges who agree with her. :(
Lord, please send Your Holy Spirit upon us and help us to make the best choice possible. Amen.
Yes Joe!
Hillary will not only continue – but promote abortion as well as LGTB marriages and prosecute any dissent!
It is a slippery slope to hell on earth for catholics.
Perhaps we all deserve our leaders.
I would personally like to thank John Lawrence who is an upstanding citizen along with being our PA State Representative. John holds his pro-life stance both in the public and private arena. We are very proud to have him represent our district here in Southern Chester County. Thanks for working so diligently for those who have no voice.
Well said. Let’s all heed Archbishop Chaput’s call to DAILY prayer for our Commonwealth, our nation and our Church.