The other day I drove past a Catholic church that had white crosses all over their front lawn, to commemorate abortions that happen every day. Where are the crosses for those executed under the death penalty? For those who die for lack of access to proper health care?
This morning I read an article in the Chicago Tribune about how the powers that be are chastising a Dominican nun, Sister Donna Quinn, for speaking out on behalf of women's rights. In the same article, it notes that "US Roman Catholic bishops refuse to support universal health care if it covers abortion". Wouldn't someone who believes in the sanctity of human life be supportive of providing health care to those who cannot afford it?
Throwing living, sick poor people under the bus in the name of 'life' reveals the insidious misogyny of the Roman hierarchy's position. Apparently, women's moral agency so threatens Rome that they ignore their stated positions on protecting all human life, and deliberately suppress legislation that will do exactly that. In addition, they silence the voice of women in their own tradition if they dare speak truth to sexist power.
If Rome were actually pro-life, shouldn't they be whole-heartedly behind efforts to increase access to health care? Shouldn't they be pounding the halls of Washington fighting for the poor who cannot afford medical care in our oppressively expensive system? How many women would choose to keep their children if they weren't impoverished by the medical expenses alone?
I think the Bishops can do much more to protect life if they get a little more consistent in their positions.


