The first time I heard a reference to abortion was in a theology class on marriage and family at a Catholic college. The Catholic belief forbad abortion except in cases of rape or incest. Pope Francis, I believe, concurs with that.
Nobody lightly seeks an abortion. That decision is between girl/woman, family clergy and doctor. No third party should have the right to prosecute or sue the patient or abortionist, and yet this could happen due to recent legislation in many states where abortion is to be forbidden under any and all circumstances, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
In 1970s Manhattan, extreme pain sent a happily married and happily pregnant colleague rushing to her obstetrician. An ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg is situated in a fallopian tube, had to be terminated to save her life. She received the necessary care. Today, this would not be possible in about half of the United States due to new legislation in each state.
Women face dire consequences in countries where abortion is generally prohibited. A few years ago in Ireland and also in Poland, pregnant women died due to lack of such care. Recently in Malta a vacationing couple, who wanted their baby, found that the wife needed emergency care that would include an abortion. They faced great difficulty in traveling to Spain where she could have the procedure to save her life.
In the U.S. now because of new restrictive laws in her state, a woman who had a miscarriage was denied the necessary D&C (dilation and curettage) to prevent hemorrhaging. While her health was in danger, it took two weeks to find assistance in another state. A Tennessee woman had an abortion canceled despite the fetus being deemed unviable outside the womb. The fetus had an encephalocele and no skull. The couple had to drive to Georgia for the care needed.
A mother had to drive her 10-year-old rape victim to another state. The doctor who performed the procedure was vilified, and threatened. Never mind that for a 10-year-old or even young teen, it is dangerous to life-threatening to carry a baby full term. On a recent boat trip, post-menopausal ladies lunching and enjoying a Cosmo referred to the case, loudly proclaiming their disbelief in the story. Another yelled, “Have the baby!” in a threatening manner.
Years ago I read that menses were beginning earlier than 13, sometimes in girls about 10 years old. I wish these women had been more informed.
In letters to The New York Times, a pastor wrote, “the Bible doesn’t prohibit abortion; it certainly doesn’t countenance the sadistic cruelty that overturning Roe v. Wade will allow.” A rabbi wrote that the new laws conflicted with women’s rights in his congregation. Garry Wills, a Catholic Pulitzer prize-winning nonfiction author, says abortion is not so much a spiritual matter as it is an issue of natural law.
Today we know more about fetus health and viability outside the womb and the threatening situations to a pregnant woman’s health and life. I hope we can be pro-life and value the life of the mother.
Furthermore, look at Supreme Court Justice Alito’s premise for overturning Roe v. Wade: abortion was not mentioned in the Constitution, so there is no implied constitutional right to the procedure. Alito is an “originalist,” referring back to the Constitution itself as a touchstone for decisions and thus able to overlook the precedent of Roe v. Wade in place for about 50 years and a later case decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion.
Attorneys generally quote legal precedents in their arguments, with due respect to the more recent cases. But think of it: Would the founding fathers want to discuss abortions? NO! That’s why abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution. So, Justice Alito, I disagree with your premise.
The political tide has caught up people for whom the participation in the
pro-life movement is a morally correct thing to do, but also a few sanctimonious and “holier-than-thous” who feel better about themselves for their stance, and unthinking politicians who see it as a look-good part of their platform.
While the U.S. takes a hard right on the issue, going backward in time, other countries are easing up on their restrictive laws. On Aug. 2, a huge turnout of Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters decided by about 59% to 41% to retain the right to abortion noted in the Kansas state constitution. Now, voters in all states have to educate themselves on candidates’ stands and any ballot initiatives on abortion and other issues.
Carol Kharivala
New Hyde Park
