New York Governor Andrew Coumo said the legalization of abortion is “a historic victory for New Yorkers and for our progressive values” on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
But the catholic Bishops In New York blast him for the move just days after he reiterated his catholic faith during the state of the State address.
In an open letter Albany Bishop Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger wrote, “Your advocacy of extreme abortion legislation is completely contrary to the teachings of our pope and our Church. I shudder to think of the consequences this law will wreak. You have already uttered harsh threats about the welcome you think pro-lifers are not entitled to in our state. Now you are demonstrating that you mean to write your warning into law. Will being pro-life one day be a hate crime in the State of New York?”
The Reproductive health Act states that non-doctors are now allowed to conduct abortions and the procedure could be done until the mother’s due date if the woman’s health is endangered or if the fetus is not viable. In the previous law abortion is only allowed 24 weeks of pregnancy if a woman’s life was at risk.
According to Fox news, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York along with the catholic Bishops in the state signed a letter condemning the bill saying “our beloved state has become a more dangerous one for women and their unborn babies.”
They added “Our governor and legislative leaders hail this new abortion law as progress. Progress will be achieved when our laws and our culture once again value and respect each unrepeatable gift of human life, from the first moment of creation to natural death.”
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