Respect Life
Date posted: May 22, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Here’s my latest column, as published in the Long Island Catholic, on late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell and New York’s abortion expansion bill.
It was more than two years ago that I read the Philadelphia grand jury report on Dr. Kermit Gosnell. I remember it made me sick to my stomach. The report begins, “This case is about a doctor who killed babies and endangered women.”
To continue reading, go here.
Date posted: May 10, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
The horrendous crimes that took place in a Cleveland house for the past ten years are so disturbing, they are difficult to comprehend: kidnappings, assaults, rapes, and God-knows-what-hasn’t come to light yet. Crimes against human life, all of them.
Now prosecutors in Ohio say they will file murder charges against the alleged perpetrator for purposefully terminating the pregnancies of his female captives against their will. One victim says she was pregnant at least five times over the years, and each time her abductor starved her and repeatedly punched her in the gut until she miscarried her baby.
These murder charges can be filed in Ohio because, since 1996, Ohio has had an “unborn victims of violence” law allowing infants, prior to their birth, to be classified as victims of assault or homicide. Tragically, New York State does not have such a law.
New York does, however, permit some criminal charges for violent attacks on unborn children such as those that occurred in Cleveland. The crime is called illegal “abortional act,” and it can bring a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Here’s the thing: the crime of “abortional act” and its consequences would be removed from New York’s laws if the “Reproductive Health Act’ is enacted. That’s right – if the abortion expansion proposal now under serious consideration in Albany is passed, there could be absolutely no criminal charges brought for such horrifying crimes. And New Yorkers can pretty much forget about ever making it a murder charge for someone to kill an unborn child, the way Ohio and 35 other states do. Nope, all criminal charges would be wiped off the books.
That’s not justice. That’s the opposite of justice, for both mothers and their children. Please, take action now.
Date posted: April 16, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Thanks to all the pro-life New Yorkers who showed up at the Capitol last evening to protest abortion expansion in New York State. Hundreds and hundreds of them packed West Capitol Park and lined the streets with signs asking our government officials, “Can’t we love them both?” The event was planned by the coalition New Yorkers for Life and drew in individuals and groups from all across the state united in opposition to the governor’s plan to expand late-term abortion.
Some press coverage of the event can be found here and here.
I was particularly moved by the diversity of the crowd: young and old, black, white and Hispanic, Democrat and Republican, male and female, Evangelical, Catholic and Jewish, from upstate and down, people from all walks of life. Everyone there was an integral part of that melting pot, blending together as one harmonious whole with a common goal: stopping abortion expansion and offering pregnant women life-affirming options.
I went home with the knowledge that I was part of something big and meaningful and blessed. Thanks to all who came and witnessed, for your sacrifice, commitment and prayers.
Date posted: April 11, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
This year, for the first time in more than 40 years, our state government is considering a change to our abortion laws. Tragically, it’s not a change that would tighten regulations, add restrictions, or lessen abortion. It’s a change that would expand our already-too-liberal abortion laws.
In his 2013 State of the State Address, Governor Andrew Cuomo called for enactment of the “Reproductive Health Act,” a bill that already exists (S.438) that would ease restrictions on late-term abortions, permit non-physicians to perform surgical abortions, and make abortion an untouchable “fundamental right” in state law. The Governor has since said that he will introduce a different bill to “codify abortion rights,” but he has not done so to date.
To protest these possible changes, New Yorkers for Life is sponsoring a “Candlelight Vigil for Life” on Monday evening, April 15, 2013 beginning at 5 p.m. in West Capitol Park on the Swan Street side of the Capitol. It will be a silent protest…just moms and dads, grandparents and children, holding candles and signs that ask simply, “Can’t We Love Them Both?”
I’ve been around Albany a long time, and rallies and marches are commonplace here. But silent candlelight vigils? Not so much. I believe it will be a stunning visual, a powerful public sign of the commitment of so many New Yorkers to safeguard the inherent value of each and every human life.
Please join us to pray and protest any abortion expansion in the State of New York. Even if you can only stay for an hour from 5 to 6 pm, 6 to 7 pm, or 7 to 8 pm, please come. Let us, in solidarity, witness to the sanctity of human life.
Date posted: April 10, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
The irony of a recent statement by Nancy Northrup of the Center for Reproductive Rights in this post on the “Healthy Consumer” blog of the New York Times gave me a chuckle. The post is about the recent judicial action that will likely make the “morning-after pill” (Plan B) available to persons of any age right over the counter in the pharmacy. Northrup applauds that decision, and compares Plan B to aspirin, arguing that safety and effectiveness should be the stand
ard to judge what goes on the pharmacy shelves. “Why in this area are we asking for a different standard?” she questions.
Ha! That’s always been my question. Why are school nurses forbidden from giving young students aspirin but they can write them a prescription for oral contraceptives? Why do parents have to sign the permission slip for their kids to get their ears pierced or their bodies tanned, but a 14 year old can have an abortion without a parent even knowing about it? Why will drug stores now have to keep minors away from tobacco products, beer, even allergy pills and cough medicine, but ensure that they have easy access to the morning-after pill?
Why? Because abortion and contraception is the sacred cow, the lone exception, the one area that breaks all the rules and throws common sense out the window. The judge’s decision in this case was reckless and irresponsible and defies common sense.
Date posted: March 27, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Good news: the 2013-2014 State Budget restores funding for the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation, funding that had been proposed for elimination in the Governor’s proposed budget. Since 1983 the Foundation has provided grants to programs proving essential services for low income pregnant teens, enabling them to keep their babies, and to young parents to help them raise healthy families. But this year the Governor proposed eliminating dedicated funding for the Foundation and merging it with 88 other health-related programs in a new and reduced consolidated funding pot. The Legislature said “No,” and restored the Foundation and most of its funding. Bravo to our lawmakers!
Pregnant and parenting vulnerable women need support and assistance to empower them to make a choice for life. Restoring funding for the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation is a necessary and great first step…now we have to ensure there is no abortion expansion in the days ahead…
Date posted: March 3, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Last week a group of doctors and other medical professionals came to Albany to protest the abortion expansion act that is pending in the legislature. They came from all parts of the state and from numerous medical specialties: family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, radiology, psychiatry, neonatology. What a courageous and inspiring group they were, taking time off from their very busy schedules, risking so much to put themselves out there and take the morally correct stand.
They addressed the media and explained the risks and potential complications of later-term abortion. They noted the near impossibility of any real physical reason that would necessitate an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. They expressed concern for the safety of women if non-physicians were empowered by the state to perform surgical abortions. They documented the psychological suffering after abortion and how such trauma is often hidden or shelved because it is not considered “politically correct.” They implored lawmakers to help both mothers and infants.
They were so knowledgeable, poised, credible and professional. Their testimony moved me almost to tears, tears of gratitude for their sacrifice, their vocation and their commitment to human life. It was a proud day to be a pro-life New Yorker.
Date posted: February 26, 2013
Yesterday, Mylan Denerstein, counsel to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, issued yet another essay defending the governor’s abortion expansion bill and accusing the opposition of being “outrageous and disingenuous.” In fact, the Catholic Bishops and other opponents have been very clear and honest in expressing opposition. And, yet again, she makes statements defending the substance of a bill that they have declined to make public.
While much of the essay repeats her previous assertions, she does add one new line of argument, insisting that the governor’s plan to allow non-physicians to perform abortions would not change existing law. She states, “New York State law and regulations currently allow non-physician medical professionals (e.g. physician assistants) to perform the procedure in certain circumstances. Again, there is no change to that whatsoever.”
In fact, New York State law specifically says that only a “duly licensed physician” may perform an abortion. The bill known as the Reproductive Health Act (S.438) specifically repeals that language and replaces it with “licensed health care practitioner,” a category much broader than physician. Further, there are no regulations of which we are aware that would or could override that very clear language in the state’s Penal Law.
Is Ms. Denerstein being intentionally misleading or is she actually aware of physician assistants performing surgical induced abortions despite the clear prohibition in the Penal Law?
We invite her to clarify her remarks, and we respectfully ask her to reveal where these abortions by physician assistants are being performed in New York State and explain to health care consumers exactly how this could possibly be legal under existing state law.
It is becoming clear that the governor will eventually release a bill that contains changes to bills previously introduced. It is also clear, given the intentionally confusing language of Ms. Denerstein’s statements, that the ultimate bill will be intended to be as misleading as her statements have been. We will not be caught off guard and we do not believe the members of the Legislature, which has not accepted the previous versions of this bill, will be either.
The Catholic Conference represents New York State’s Bishops in matters of public policy.
Date posted: February 23, 2013
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Since Governor Andrew Cuomo declared his intention to “fight for passage of the Reproductive Health Act” last month, abortion has been a hot topic at the Capitol. The Reproductive Health Act is an extreme piece of legislation that would expand abortion in New York by removing restrictions on late-term abortion, allowing non-doctors to perform abortion, and elevating abortion to the level of a “fundamental right.”
Abortion brings death, destruction, pain, heartache and regret. Our goal must always be less abortion, not more. Let’s work together to give women real choices and decrease the devastation that abortion brings. Here are some suggestions for lawmakers:
- Drop efforts to enact the dangerous and unnecessary Reproductive Health Act. According to a recent poll, New Yorkers overwhelmingly (80%) oppose unlimited abortion on demand through nine months of pregnancy, which this legislation would enshrine in our law. If you haven’t already done so, send a message to your state representatives here.
- Restore funding for the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation which funds prenatal care and parenting assistance for single low-income young moms. The Foundation was zeroed out in the proposed Executive Budget and lumped in with 88 other health-related programs, which would have to compete for reduced funding in a restructured process. Government needs to put its money where its mouth is and show at-risk mothers and infants that we can love them both.
- Make sure New York’s policies are family-friendly. Governor Cuomo gets it right when he aims to reasonably accommodate pregnant women in the workplace. Of course pregnant workers should be accommodated! We need to fix any contradictions or discrimination in our law to ensure that our policies value childbirth and motherhood.
- Enact a “Woman’s Right to Know” law to give women considering abortion full information regarding the risks, alternatives and facts about the procedure, and sufficient reflection time to think it over. Thirty-five states have such laws on the books; not New York.
- Promote adoption as a positive choice. New York could enact tax deductions or credits for families who adopt. Or provide funding for agencies that provide pregnancy counseling and supportive services to frightened young girls at no cost. This cost is ultimately passed on in adoption fees, which can become prohibitive for prospective adopting families. Or how about a state-financed public relations campaign to encourage adoption, particularly of special needs kids and children in foster care? Let’s communicate clearly that adoption is a viable option.
Those five steps would move New York State in the right direction.
Date posted: December 17, 2012
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
I woke up the day after the Connecticut elementary school massacre with literal tears in my eyes. I had dreamt of the shootings, and my grief was palpable.
I peeked in on my one “baby,” asleep in his bed, safely home from college for Christmas break. I called the second one, who lives away from home, just to hear his voice.
For a full day I had listened to the journalists, politicians and talking heads analyze, scrutinize and pick apart every little detail of the destruction, (despite the fact that so many details were unknown.) I heard one CNN reporter argue fiercely for action on gun control measures so that she wouldn’t be “standing in front of a camera three weeks from now at another tragedy.”
Did she really think it was that simple? That one or two public policy changes would be the magic potion to prevent future horrors? Would it be lesser access to guns? Greater access to treatment for mental illness? Would a reduction in violence on video games be the quick fix?
While we surely need to look at all of these important issues, I suspect that the changes needed are much bigger than the passage of a new law; it’s a cultural change that we need. I hate to be a one-note Kathy, but what our society is lacking is fundamental respect for human life. We need to model the virtues of respect, love, generosity, and selflessness. We need standards, ethics, family, and God…in the home, in the workplace, and in the classroom.
I pondered these thoughts as I continued my Saturday morning errands. Perhaps it was my imagination, but parents seemed to be holding their children closer, check-out cashiers seemed friendlier, drivers more courteous.
I think that’s a good start.
