Cardinal Invites President to Meet on
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban
WASHINGTON, (January 22, 1997) -- Cardinal Bernard Law, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, urged President Clinton to reconsider his position on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. In a letter, the Cardinal invited President Clinton to meet with him and with a knowledgeable physician to
discuss the partial-birth procedure, about which the President
has made several controversial statements.
The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which would have outlawed
the killing of partially delivered infants, passed both Houses
of Congress last year but was vetoed by the President. The bill
was reintroduced into the Senate on January 21.
Cardinal Law expressed the hope that with the reintroduction of
the legislation in Congress, "time will not be wasted debating
claims that have proven to be false."
President Clinton publicly defended his veto of the Partial-Birth
Abortion Ban Act by citing the claims of some women who said the
procedure had saved their lives or future fertility. Cardinal
Law reminded the President, however, that "the evidence that
partial-birth abortion is never necessary to preserve a
woman's health or fertility is overwhelming. I urge you to consult
with the Physicians' Ad Hoc Coalition for Truth (PHACT), a group
of nearly 400 physicians who have spoken out on this."
Cardinal Law also pointed out that the third-trimester abortion
bill which Senator Tom Daschle intends to introduce--reportedly
with the President's support--will prevent neither the partial-birth
procedure nor late terms abortions generally.
Text of Cardinal Law's letter to President Clinton.