ABORTION AND THE LAW: Selected Responses
selected responses ABORTION AND THE LAW Commonweal's May 31 issue on into this conception. Suddenly we find ...
...It is true, as Fr...
...it will lead human society by creating a structure mine...
...Degnan ["Law, on private choice-"all of human life felony...
...the life movement is symbolically imtheir own definition, human life is being Don't misunderstand me, please...
...And nan's zest for compromise "Law, Morhave done nothing politically significant as we all know too painfully well, that als and Abortion," May 311 was shared to reverse the Supreme Court's deci- old saw about "the Lord will provide" by someone on the other side...
...about human life will recognize that special cases...
...Here Fr...
...This in- I think there are circumstances where ued-currency of old-fashioned, interaction is explicable, I submit, only if abortion should be permitted: where est-group, one-issue, grass-roots politics...
...The time for successwho would labor to change the law fend both abortion and contraception ful moderation on this issue might have since our opposition is based precisely on the same basis...
...If earlier in the controversy the on the premise that such distinctions are revolves around one central point: man hierarchy had been open to such an arbitrary, not merely that the nation is free (and if you can understand what approach there might have been some ought to be spared ghastly photos and that word means in context you will hope...
...But Fr...
...to preserve life, exactly as one of its sult in the preservation of life by putDegnan maintains...
...WithFrom this I conclude that we should try...
...American law abortion produced an unusually heavy that any legal system comes equipped leaves peace-keeping to the several reader-response...
...Degnan wetlands, the Communist Party and the your incisive May 31 editorial and argoes on to import an entire morality Catholic Church...
...But I do think the epis- Granted, eventual descent from the it exists from conception, and anyone copal muscle could be put to better high ground of magisterial morality into who claims that it begins later really use on the issues of poverty, racism, positive law is necessary, even "a duty...
...intensely at any stage and under any haven't bothered to ask us how we feel LEO J. JORDAN circumstances...
...and that pattern is another's property (forfeit to the prop- mark as to distort any argument that established at conception, not one min- erty-owner if private property, forfeit incorporates it...
...The concept of the secular humanist never misses the point of, say, two months, either perplexing two-month limit is obnoxious to most which is why he can so consistently de- or unconvincing...
...generally support abortion, then will throughout-combine to render such RENA MARZEN we accept this decision...
...For example, I find it about this matter...
...And is that really the underemployed, the poor of all the moral and financial support of the what is at stake...
...According to developed human being...
...What is foolish to of pregnancy...
...Thomas does edly it is more comfortable when one tion is but a symptom of America's state that "murder, theft and suchlike" is aspiring to be a member of an intel- larger problem, an abysmal lack of are not under discussion...
...On a national level developing human in the early stages of know of, unless by "right" we mean I don't think it has ever occurred to human gestation and in the latter "anything desirable...
...The law is con- our legislators to condemn all official months before birth...
...The stricted abortions with an earlier limit Indefectible Man...
...and responsible personalities and ideolof the abortion issue what I want to We, in the National Association of ogies have demonstrated a radical deknow is: where are the women...
...They are the origin and for "moderately restrictive abortion desperate women, ACLU lawyers and guardians of the social compact which laws" and a constitutional amendment the probability that abortion will soon Dr...
...Below are representa- with an enormous freight of "moral states, whose job it is to keep disruptio tive excerpts of some of the letters re- and legal debts" including the rights to and chaos to a minimum...
...Nevertheless, lectual elite to talk of non-essentials: concern with almost any group unre"the purpose of human law is to lead admittedly there are pregnancies from lated to personal mobility or economic men to virtue" and, one assumes, away rape or from incest, but how many (or efficiency-the aged, the unemployed, from vice...
...for, deprived of life without due process of attempt this distinction...
...MARY KENNEDY out these there might be no change at not bargain on abortion under the mis- all in the present law because the life taken assutr.Y...
...In fact, either broad trol...
...My suspicion is that those Third, discouragement through public compromise between the two positions of us who are horrified by the deeper law and social legislation what cannot because there is no common ground significance of casual abortion will live be prevented through criminal law and of value...
...But matter of concern to women, too...
...selected responses ABORTION AND THE LAW Commonweal's May 31 issue on into this conception...
...quirements of a pluralistic democratic JAMES R. KELLY Commonweal: 429...
...that their recognition must not depend them, and make manslaughter (e.g...
...matter of power politics, but we should Catholic to explain "their" view on hu- First, compromise is no more than not do so because we assume that in man life...
...About about abortion seems to issue from person is entitled to due process of 90% of all abortions are presently permen...
...For there is not a But those "debts" he mentions are provide public places of execution for "difference between the claims of the not "rights" in any system of law I its official killing...
...Not one of those exceedingly noteworthy that the many pious gents have ever had to grapple Chicago, Ill...
...and other moderate Christians, have an human life from conception and under We didn't send them there...
...to be decided by law...
...One of the functions of law is to less conflict and disruption, and reof just relationships among men," Fr...
...But it cannot be sacrilege...
...Degnan argues ration of pregnancy, slippery doctors, tic values...
...This crucially important issue a necessary evil or temporary expedithe end all our countrymen are equally has never been given a forum for de- ent-like a Civil Rights Act which ap"pro-life...
...But if the states ployed at any stage, will be employed creation run with violence and death...
...I can changing the present situation...
...Perhaps we will be reminded by State for abortion and the organizations HARVEY SHE'ENY the abortion laws of the need for a and ideologies which exacerbate its larger dissent from the structured inpractice is in order...
...a moral as well cerned with peace and order...
...Those basic (but not absolute) rights of all first two months, we have no reason to 9 August 1974: 428 believe that habits, gadgetry and po- Perhaps because of the frustration society is thoughtful and sensitive...
...The essence of justice is existence to protect property...
...In my opinion, we in NAL, shows that only those who care about ing for the women of this country...
...does not care much about it to begin equal rights, etc., and some other vital But I suggest there are assumptions with...
...Because authorized by the Court...
...Degthe nucleic acids of every cell in a cause it causes trouble and conflict...
...It is not so much that the in both quiet and vocal dissent, but punitive legislation...
...Beyond any question this is the most Second, a significant reduction in the I mean where are the women in the complex issue we have ever undertaken...
...For Catholics especially, perhaps, are here: witness the restrictions on abortion forces in a way respectful both the abortion laws will remind us of foreign aid, welfare, legal services, ex- of essential pro-life values and the re- our vocation to be restless pilgrims...
...The law came into permitting the destruction of human association...
...Degnan to in the preservation of human life...
...His whole position passed...
...as a general rule, with some excep- the mother's life is endangered, or in Why not wait and see how much that tions) anyone who cares passionately the case of rape or incest, or other money can buy...
...Despite this stalethird trimester abortions, we have a "abortion from becoming little more mate, perhaps this route should be tried situation not remarkably different from than simply another form of birth con- anyway, but it seems doomed to defeat what we have...
...peace, the state will enforce them, and cannot be sustained...
...If laws aimceived...
...Is it less ness will simply not be mass-produced horror at the post-viability abortions murderous to kill the fully grown, fully in American image factories...
...Why the sanctuary of silence bad for a hundred million dollar businot been in the streets expressing their on the issue of that killing...
...This is a But, assuming even this basic premise, of these are in the third month...
...Now with it appears that we allow moral questions the specific exceptions which Fr...
...humanity of much of modern society...
...any future abortion law "bargaining": indulged Cardinals have no business mother...
...a that most of our op- Bloomington, III...
...The May 31 issue of Common- law from the moment of conception...
...body count...
...as well as the entire It seems to me that political evidence rattling around Washington and speak- community...
...Degnan's sughalls of decision...
...bate and dialogue within the adminis- plied to only quadroons, or a governRICHARD STITH trative church...
...chooses...
...the Congress must then consider the if abortion-on-demand is limited to the Shouldn't they be considered...
...races...
...really...
...Almost in spite of the law, in the law of this society...
...secular humanist can't be convinced without much hope of substantially Degnan quotes Aquinas, that "it does as that he won't be convinced...
...There is no presupposiute later...
...The no- To the Editors: Father Daniel Degnan's Christianity must become unpopular table successes of the life movement attempt to broaden the base of the anti- again...
...they simply oppose as a physical one...
...Ramsey so lucidly describes, with- returning to the states the power to be by injection or pill-which, if em- out which even human love and pro- prohibit abortions...
...True, most weal is a perfect example...
...formed in the first trimester...
...That is, of course, functions is to increase prosperity in ting the illicit and unskilled abortiontrue, since the root notion of "justice" the society, but these functions should peddlers out of business...
...Likewise, positive Bronx, N.Y...
...Consequently, Catholics ment policy which suffered Vietnamese are just not equipped to discuss the non-combatants to be napalmed just Sacramento, Calif...
...sadness because the argument ical and legal) in establishing true du- and nurture the family and its authen- will lack a constituency...
...the Constiuncertainty on the facts of human de- the creation of a system of law results tution says only that no person shall be velopment that leads Fr...
...LISA NEWTON men (no matter what other inequalities pose of law...
...Possibly the notion...
...I'm potent in our reflective political culture, taken virtually on demand...
...ing with the strong man's pleasure"- as it can choose to protect sacred cows, To the Editors: As an addendum to as Euripides put it...
...And I didn't stand, the cards in hand surely deserve protecting life at least in the later stages notice any purple hats bobbing about to be played out...
...and which olics and Abortion" [May 311 you state is accepted only when it decides the already account for most second and that we should all work to prevent way we want it to...
...issues...
...Admiration for are the same methods used throughout and consistent politics emerging from the skillful attempt to balance many the first trimester, but difficulties (med- the pro-life thing that aims to protect values...
...and the semi-rich without mercy, caus- decision will in fact accomplish the "It is the aim of law to organize ing endless feuds, bloodshed and fa- aim and function of the law...
...THE EDITORS life, education, friendship, and liberty, ing to preserve human life seem likely and that such "rights" are so important to keep the peace, the state will enforce Fairfield, Conn...
...steps to diminish its rationale...
...As things sion by a Constitutional amendment is just so much that...
...But maybe this is asking for too hospital horror stories...
...It would not is simply the equality before the law not be confused with the purpose and be the first time that laws aimed at possessed by all citizens of a political root notion of law...
...I tions cannot be refined to compensate of direct remedy, I hopefully perceive read Father Degnan's article with adfor the inconvenience...
...if we don't, then nan provides (rape, incest, deformity, To the Editors: In your editorial "Cath- it appears that the democratic process mother's disposition, etc...
...property beings functioned in practice to save that like cases are treated alike, that all relationships define the scope and pur- lives...
...Assur- is that we will realize that casual aborall vices" (though St...
...Suddenly we find society that has done so...
...suspect...
...I don't Laity, have spent over four years at- fect which render them permanently mean the nuts running around carrying temping to formulate a basic position...
...it is not killing of humans...
...But I don't know any ticles on abortion, let me suggest that Commonweal: 427 we keep the following in mind during four old overstuffed, over-fed, over- involved "persons": the unborn child...
...After conception, "only to God and the community in cases of tion in favor of preserving human life growth is to come...
...perimentation...
...Biologically (the concerned with human life or other this or that means of killing as inhumetaphysics of "ensoulment" eludes human goods...
...issues gnawing at the gut of our coun- upon which it ought to proceed...
...Deg- Huntington Beach, Calif...
...Perhaps complex judgof narrowly defined exceptions is the manipulate his sexuality in any way he ments like Degnan's come only with best solution...
...There is no real chance for hindsight...
...Degbegins at some point after conception out how to feed another mouth...
...Fairfield University differentiate them) fall equally under An established society can, of course, "the long still grasp of law, not chang- choose to protect human life by law, Valparaiso, Ind...
...If we do, then a restriction unenforceable...
...They legislative response...
...So legislation which inhibits how few...
...Perhaps a list understand why 'dialogue' is futile) to much wisdom...
...Surely you've missed the point: -by definition moderately restrictive exceptions or an unenforced two-month abortion is a form of birth control, and abortion laws significantly relativize limit alone would probably change lit- while contraception can more easily be fetal life and many who sincerely value tle...
...but if laws aiming to destroy Morals and Abortion," May 311 starts and its achievements" will be endan- human life seem likely to keep the his argument from a distinction that gered if the law does not protect them...
...Why have those who on the Potomac during the Vietnam the Greeks, an albatross to the Left and said, e.g., that life begins at viability disaster...
...nan's apparent belief that this society human being as long as that human Law in its original and definitive form in general protects, or aims to protect, lives that establishes the unique human- makes forfeit the life of one who steals human life by law is so wide of the ity of that being...
...As a result, they can do no more twice a week...
...I think that his for every poor man whose life is forfeit law...
...groups who claimed to believe that life with the problem of trying to figure To the Editors: I only wish Fr...
...movement would not be able to muster ponents are as committed as we are to To the Editors: In large measure the sufficient strength for proposals which the high value of human life...
...Likewise, the social order To the Editors: On the volcanic subject than manifest basic emotions...
...We may developing polarity over abortion can promise trivial results based on capituhave to give in on some points as a be traced to the inability of the average lation of principle...
...Of increasing concern, no resistance rationalized, the ultimate aim of both fetal life will find a proposed law which is offered to the designs of genetic is to prevent the birth (for whatever replaces the present six months unreengineers on clons, chimeras and the reason) of an unwanted child...
...pictures of buckets of aborted fetuses...
...The law forbids violence, mane, or this or that death-dealing opme) it is the genetic pattern, present in because it is disruptive, and theft be- eration as bad foreign policy...
...a To the Editors: Fr...
...My hope not belong to human law to repress be accused of over-simplifying...
...And not only the lineament of a more comprehensive miration and sadness...
...All I hear or read We have agreed-only-that an unborn gestions offer little reassurance...
...father...
...yet they do not favoring abortion on demand but it trades in the hard-often undervalnot mobilize in its defense...
...Wade was the outcies in his discussion follow from that the absence of law will prey on the poor come, and that settles that...
...They cer- obligation to assist in formulating a almost all circumstances care about it tainly weren't speaking for me...
...Well, we've had due process in the effort here is to save a favored notion under law because he robbed the rich, abortion issue, all the way to the Suof "the law," and that the inconsisten- there are a hundred rich men who in preme Court itself...
Vol. 100 • August 1974 • No. 18
