Written by Ryan Thomas
In last week’s edition of the Clarion, an article entitled “Contraceptive Controversy” was written to portray a balanced view of bill HB 1042. Unfortunately, many of those interviewed represented opinions and facts that were gravely flawed and misrepresented.The current bill HB 1042 would effectively impose strict state standards on all hospitals, including religiously affiliated hospitals, forcing them to provide “emergency contraception” for women who are raped. The Catholic Church for many years has provided significant services and counseling to victims of rape and incest. Archbishop Chaput even states, “The Catholic teaching supports the right of rape victims to defend themselves against potential conception.” The Church does support authentic emergency contraceptive in cases where ovulation can be prevented after a rape. This step is in fact already present in Catholic hospitals. The current legislation obligates the “emergency contraceptive” pill to be offered by all hospitals. The Church presently fears two main moral situations. First, that an egg can become fertilized within 15 minutes of a rape. Secondly, that the raped woman is already pregnant with her and her husband’s child. Emergency Contraceptive would thus be dangerous and could cause an abortion in both of these situations. One DU student boldly stated, “Every person has the right to decide when pregnancy becomes life.” There is no room for moral relativism in regards to human life. Pregnancy is not a subjective experience. Every woman does NOT have the right to “decide” if she is pregnant. You either are pregnant or you are not. The Church maintains a consistent ethic of life, where by, all life, from conception to natural death must be fully protected. HB 1042 impedes fundamental Church teaching and threatens the foundation of what Catholic hospitals stand for. The Church will continue to provide victims of sexual crimes immediate medical attention and counseling, but let us not make the mistake of taking steps that will disregard the possibility of a human life.
