Editor's Desk: Roe at 30
By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 1/23/03)
"This year, on Jan. 22, we note with great sadness, but greater determination, the 30th year of legalized abortion on demand in the United States," said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus.
"For 30 years, abortion has been a stain on our nation; a deep wound in our nation’s soul," he said. "Abortion is the negation of our nation’s commitment to human rights and the equal dignity of every individual. It is a tragedy that sets women against their own children. This a choice no woman should ever have to make. This is a choice no society should tolerate."
Anderson noted that the U.S. abortion rate is the lowest it’s been since the Roe vs. Wade decision was handed down by the Supreme Court in 1973.
According to a recent Catholic News Service report, new statistics on abortion from the Alan Guttmacher Institute showed a 5 percent drop in the abortion rate between 1996 and 2000, but the number of partial-birth abortions tripled during that period.
A separate study published in the January 2003 issue of the Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey concluded that women who undergo abortions face increased risks of premature delivery, maternal depression and suicide, and other serious health consequences. The researchers called for further study of the long-term health risks related to abortion.
The Guttmacher survey of abortion providers said the U.S. abortion rate in 2000 of 21.3 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 was the lowest since 1974. The rate peaked in 1980 and 1981 at 29.3 abortions per 1,000 women. There were 1.31 million abortions in the United States in 2000, down from a high of 1.61 million in 1990.
Wanda Franz, president of the National Right to Life Committee, said there are two important facts to remember from this report. The first is that, thankfully, more unborn children are being allowed to live and more mothers are choosing life. The second is that tragically, 1.3 million of America's children are still killed annually through the violence of abortion."
Guttmacher also reported that 2,200 D&X abortions (or partial birth abortions) were performed during 2000, more than three times the 650 reported for 1996. Douglas Johnson, NRLC legislative director, said the difference between the figures shows that "either the number of partial-birth abortion is increasing rapidly, or the news media is mistaken in accepting the 1996 figure, or both."
Pro-life leaders both locally and nationally remain optimistic that legislative inroads made in recent years by anti-life forces will be overturned during the current legislative session.
In Virginia, pro-life legislation expected to be approved by the General Assembly includes partial birth abortion prohibition, parental consent before a minors can have abortions and pro-life license plates. The main concern is getting enough votes to override Gov. Mark Warner’s veto.
"As we note this 30th year of abortion on demand," Anderson said, "we are confident of the day when we will instead celebrate its end, when the law will no longer protect the violence of abortion, but will instead protect the lives and dignity of both women and their unborn children."
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The Arlington Catholic HERALD is once again seeking local photographs for its annual Catholic Marriage Issue, which will be published Feb. 13. We are looking for photgraphs from weddings that took place during the 2002 calendar year in Arlington Diocesan churches.
Please include the complete name of the couple, the photographer and the priest or deacon who officiated (see ad on page 25). If you want the photo returned, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, Jan. 30. Sorry, but we can't guarantee publication. Send your photo to: Marriage Issue, c/o Arlington Catholic HERALD, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 600, Arlington, Va. 22203. — M.F.F.
Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.
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