Editor's Desk: Cultures Collide

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 4/29/04)

Opposing forces in the culture war collided on the streets of Washington, D.C., last weekend. Pro-life supporters, organized by the American Life League in Stafford, gathered outside the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue to counter the demonstration organized by "Catholics for a Free Choice" (see coverage beginning on page one). The Vatican was targeted by the anti-life group because of its outspoken opposition to all forms of abortion, contraception and euthanasia.

"Despite their name, the so-called ‘Catholics for a Free Choice’ is nothing but a front group for the abortion lobby," said Joseph M. Starrs, director of ALL’s "Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church."

"The idea that a Catholic can support abortion in any way is not only ludicrous, but contrary to the very teachings of Christ and the Church itself," he said. "The most recent statement from the Vatican is quite clear; you cannot be Catholic and pro-abortion."

Pro-abortion forces descended on Washington for the April 25 March for Women’s Lives. Many female celebrities marched on Sunday, including actor Whoopi Goldberg, who has admitted to having at least six abortions.

The march came 31 years after the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion on demand. "Roe vs. Wade has been a social experiment on the lives of women and children," said Cathy Cleaver Ruse, director of Planning and Information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

Not all celebrities were in town to support abortion. Two-time Emmy winner and author Patricia Heaton supports both women and their unborn children. "Many of the celebrities on the list are my friends," said Heaton, who serves as honorary chair of Feminists for Life. "But when it comes to championing abortion, we go our separate ways."

"I find it impossible to subscribe to a philosophy that believes that the destruction of human life is a legitimate solution to a problem that is mostly social, economic and psychological," Heaton said. "In reality, most women ‘choose’ abortion because they believe they have no other choice."

Statistics gathered by abortion supporters reveal that the majority of women who turn to abortion cite a lack of practical resources and emotional support. Many women who have had abortions report that they felt abandoned or even coerced into having an abortion.

"Women who experience unplanned pregnancy also deserve unplanned joy," Heaton said. "Being a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As a member of Feminists for Life, I want to share the joy of motherhood with other women, to enable women o make life-affirming choices for themselves and the children and to elevate our society’s perception of mothers."

Margaret Colin, another celebrity who refuses to choose between women and children, is Feminists for Life’s honorary co-chair. Her film credits include "Three Men and a Baby" and "Independence Day."

"The early American feminists who fought for our right to vote fought for the rights of pregnant women — for society to change to accept them, not for them to change to be accepted by society," Colin said.

Feminists for Life focuses its efforts on eliminating the root causes of abortion. It endorses creative solutions for pregnant women like affordable housing, adequate child care, health care, maternity leave, telecommuting and a living wage.

Heaton invited other artists and entertainers to join the pro-life effort. "Together we can truly empower and ennoble women, without compromise," she said. — M.F.F.

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