Bishop George Murry, S.J., of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has voiced his opposition to Congressman Tim Ryan’s bill, Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act (H.R. 3312). “This act is based on the mistaken belief that greater access to contraception reduces abortions and, in addition, some contraceptives may have an abortifacient effect,” said Bishop Murry. “Numerous studies as well as life experiences have shown that taxpayer support of contraception does not reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions. For example, a 2006 study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute presents evidence that those States which are aggressive in promoting contraception also have the highest abortion rates.”
Bishop Murry encouraged support for another bill currently before Congress, the Pregnant Women Support Act (S. 1032, H.R. 2035). The Pregnant Women Support Act makes adoption tax credits permanent, provides grants for ultrasound equipment, increases funding for domestic violence prevention programs, and ends discriminatory practices against women in the health insurance industry. “Certainly, this is a common sense approach to helping women in the decision to choose life for their babies,” said Bishop Murry. “I urge Congressman Ryan’s support for this piece of legislation.”
For more information from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ position on these bills, visit www.cathdoy.org.