News Release
November 5, 2003
STATEMENT OF CARDINAL JUSTIN RIGALI
ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA
REGARDING PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION LAW
The signing of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act is an historic moment and a victory for women, for unborn children and indeed for all Americans who embrace a culture of life. This ban will protect countless children who might have been killed by this heinous practice, a form of infanticide.
The fact that this ban is necessary to protect the most vulnerable among us from this abhorrent procedure demonstrates the culture of death that has taken root in some segments of our society. The majority of Americans, however, have made it clear that they do not support this extreme practice of partial-birth abortion.
I welcome this new law and am grateful to all of those who have advocated for this ban on partial- birth abortions for nearly a decade. I express my deep gratitude to President Bush, not only for signing this bill, but for advocating its passage by Congress. I also recognize that this ban would not have become reality without the tireless leadership of Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. I ask Catholics and others who value the sacredness of all human life to continue to work on behalf of women and their unborn children and to pray for the day when no abortions take place in this country.
Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747