Washington D.C., Apr 26, 2009 / 18:21 pm
Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has written a letter to U.S. Representatives encouraging them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA) which has recently been reintroduced in the House. The bill would provide money to pregnancy support centers, more options for prenatal care and services to protect women from domestic violence.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the bill (H.R. 2035) was reintroduced on Wednesday by Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN).
While acknowledging that there are "disagreements on abortion and the rights of the unborn," the cardinal noted that "there are some statements that almost everyone can endorse" such as that steps must be taken "to reduce abortions" in the U.S.
Following reports that economic hardship has resulted in more women having abortions, Rigali stated that "no woman should ever have to undergo an abortion because she feels she has no other choice or because alternatives were unavailable or not made known to her."