Our nation continues to be divided over abortion. The Catholic Churchs position in opposition to the liberal abortion regime initiated in our country since Roe v. Wade has been clear and unwavering.
Despite the public dissent of some cultural Catholics, no Catholic can assert that support for legalized abortion is coherent with Church teachings.
Nevertheless, those who identify themselves either as pro-life or pro-choice should be able to agree that a parents first responsibility is to nurture and protect their child. As a society we have long honored the unique role that parents play in the lives of their children.
Parents have a natural right that is recognized in law to direct their childs education, their health decisions, and their general welfare. So much so that those laws both protect parental rights and hold parents accountable should that responsibility be neglected. It is a unique partnership that has, at its heart, the defense and protection of children.
Florida state law honors the rights of parents by requiring a parents consent if their minor child should need medication as simple as an aspirin at school, or some other medical treatment. Parental consent is also required for even mildly invasive physical procedures like tattoos or body piercing. Yet a full surgical procedure like an abortion, which can result in permanent health or psychological damage or even death to their minor child, is exempted from this requirement.
Furthermore,any medical care that might be required as the result of complications from an abortion would be the financial responsibility of the parents.
Amendment 6 will allow the Legislature to restore rights to parents, which will have the ultimate effect of enabling a family to decide together such a personal decision as health care for their minor child without the interference of government.
It is unfair to parents to hold them responsible by law for their childs health while removing their ability to consent to treatment that puts the life and health of their child at risk.
Amendment 6 would also prohibit the use of state tax funds for abortion. Any number of national surveys confirms that a majority of Americans feel exactly the same way including a significant number of those who, while identifying themselves as pro-choice, agree that taxpayers shouldnt be forced to pay for someone elses abortion.
Amendment 6, which bolsters the rights of parents to be involved in medical decisions affecting their minor children, should be supported by all Floridians whether or not they describe themselves as pro-life or pro-choice.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami is president of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops.
