Youngstown, Ohio, Aug 5, 2009 / 10:23 am
Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio George Murry, SJ, has voiced his opposition to a bill sponsored by Ohio U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan which claims to reduce the need for abortions. Bishop Murray said the proposed bill mistakenly promotes contraception and is inferior to other proposals which would help pregnant women.
Rep. Ryan, who is a Democrat and a Catholic, joined Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in co-sponsoring the Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act (H.R. 3312). Bishop Murray is Rep. Ryan’s bishop.
Ryan’s proposed bill reportedly calls for grants for "comprehensive sexuality education" and substantially increases funding for the Title X Family Planning Program. It also provides some funding for after-school programs and efforts to support pregnant students.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Diocese of Youngstown, Bishop Murray said the bill is “based on the mistaken belief that greater access to contraception reduces abortions.”