November 5, 2020

Local Catholics asked once again to voice opposition to ROE Act

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

People march during the annual March for Life rally in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) 

SPRINGFIELD – With state lawmakers vowing to debate abortion legislation on Beacon Hill, Catholics are asked to voice their opposition to the proposed ROE Act sooner rather than later. Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka released a joint statement Monday night stating their intention to “debate measures” related to abortion by the end of the legislative session, which has been extended to  the end of the year. While they did not specifically mention the ROE Act, that legislation is currently before the Joint Judiciary Committee and would expand abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and eliminate parental consent.

“I am sure both leaders are under a lot of pressure, not only from the pro-choice organizations but members of their own bodies to do something on abortion expansion particularly in light of the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court,” said James Driscoll, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference (MCC).

Last month, the U.S. Senate confirmed Justice Barrett, who was President Trump’s pick for the high court, marking a 6-3 conservative majority. Justice Barrett, a Catholic and mother of seven children, was highly criticized by pro-choice groups and politicians who see her as a threat to abortion rights.

The two proposed bills in Massachusetts commonly referred to as the ROE Act are House Bill 3320 and Senate Bill 1209. Both bills are before the Joint Judiciary Committee, which has until Nov. 12 to take action. According to MCC, if enacted the bill would:

• Expand abortion access through the ninth month of pregnancy for virtually any reason;
• Eliminate the requirement that late-term abortions be performed in a hospital;
• Eliminate the requirement that provides medical care to a child who survives an attempted abortion;
• Eliminate the requirement that a minor under the age of 18 have the consent of a parent, guardian or the courts;
• Expand state funding for women who cannot afford the procedure.

“There are several troubling aspects to this bill. The most troubling is this would allow abortion to take place during the 9 months of pregnancy for virtually any reason,” said Driscoll.

The bills list any of the following reasons for abortion after 24-weeks: physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age. The legislation also lists as a reason “lethal fetal anomalies, or where the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus.”

Joy Dupell, who recently spoke at Massachusetts Citizens for Life’s (MCFL) virtual banquet, said doctors advised her to abort her baby girl, Hope, due to a prenatal diagnosis considered a lethal anomaly.

“They told me she would not make it past birth and highly suggested termination,” said Dupell. Baby Hope is now 10 months old.
 Another concerning component of the legislation is the stripping away of parental consent for minors.

“In addition, the ROE bills eliminate the requirement that a minor under age of 18 have the consent of a parent, guardian or the courts. Today a child under the age of 18 must receive consent for a school nurse to provide medications during the school day, which I believe is reasonable,” said Driscoll. “If you compare that requirement to abortion, where you wouldn’t need anyone to say okay, shows how disturbing this legislation is.” 

Catholics are asked to call their local senator and representative to voice their opposition. Driscoll said those phone calls make a difference.

“It absolutely has an effect because across the state of Massachusetts, as a result of bulletin inserts and announcements, the Catholic Church alone has generated thousands of calls to the judiciary committee along with individual senators and representatives. And I think it’s a very powerful voice,” he said.

More information can be found at macatholic.org.