Wisconsin forces Catholic hospitals to dispense “emergency contraception”

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Madison, Wis., Jan 25, 2008 / 04:23 am (CNA).- The Wisconsin State Assembly has passed legislation mandating that all Wisconsin hospitals, including religiously-affiliated hospitals, must inform any self-described victim of sexual assault of “emergency contraception” and must provide it upon her request.

Emergency contraception, as defined by the bill, includes both the morning-after pill and the intrauterine device (IUD). The morning-after pill can alter the lining of the uterus so that a newly conceived embryo cannot implant in the womb, leading to its death. The IUD always blocks implantation, also causing the death of any newly conceived human being.

“It is a sad day for Wisconsin,” said Peggy Hammil, state director of Pro-life Wisconsin. “The state Assembly has shamefully ignored the fate of embryonic children by forcing Wisconsin hospitals to dispense a known abortion-causing drug to vulnerable women. In so doing, they have trampled upon the conscience rights of hospitals and hospital workers in blatant disregard of our federal and state constitutions which guarantee freedom of religious expression and liberty of conscience.”

Pro-life Wisconsin, which represents 30,000 families in the state, commended the 34 Republican legislators and the one Democrat legislator who voted against the bill.

Bishops Robert Morlino and Jerome Listecki have spoken out forcefully against the legislation in the past few months. Efforts to pass the bill included a letter sent by Catholics for a Free Choice which claimed to represent the Catholic position on abortion and contraception.

Comments: 21

Subscriber comments:

Published by: John Rolfsmeyer
Madison, Wis.,USA 11/09/2009 10:56 PM EST

Action Alert: A new proposal to fine the Doctor $2,500-$5,000 and the hospital $10,000-$20,000 for not offering a morning after abortive solution is now being proposed. Please get the word out to oppose this at the public hearing Dec 14th, 9:30-11:30am, at 1 West Wilson, Room B272, Madison

Published by: Nancy
Seip 02/09/2008 11:45 AM EST

How is the infant the guilty party? Why should the infant be killed because it's father is a rapist? Do we kill preborn children of rapists? How does this make sense to anyone?

Published by: Joshua
Houston, Tx 02/05/2008 12:02 PM EST

Calling it a fertilized egg does it a great injustice. It is a human with a unique DNA structure and all it needs is nourishment and shelter and it will live and develop, same as a newborn. No outside forces add to it becoming ‘more human’.

I find it odd that people are so ready to kill the child of a rape, but we don't kill the rapist. I guess it's easier to punish someone who can't complain on day time TV. I’m not saying we should, just that the enormity of the thing blows my mind.

The issue boils down to the same things all the pro-life issues come down to, what gives a person worth? The catholic perspective is that everyone has the same worth, yet some how that is viewed as oppressive and bigoted.

Published by: Randy
Madison, WI 01/31/2008 02:12 PM EST

Once the sperm penetrates the egg, we have an "embryonic child"? If the fertilized egg fails to implant (as happens roughly 10% of the time anyway), should we have a Catholic funeral service and a burial for it?

Somewhere here the rights of the RAPE VICTIM are forgotten. The victim is the rape victim, not the fertilized egg!

Published by: dml
california usa 01/28/2008 07:52 PM EST

When state governments did not have the resources or the will to provide healthcare to its citizens, it was the religious organizations, including the Catholic Church, that stepped up and provided it. Now the Wisconsin Legislature pretends to care more about healthcare than these institutions? Please. This is about a narrow, radical political agenda. You would think that educated representatives could dialogue with the institutions that have served Wisconsin citizens tireless for decades. But then, radicals are never willing to dialogue.

Published by: Daniel
Houston/TX/ 01/28/2008 09:39 AM EST

The diocese should in no way be forced to do anything. Rather, let them save money, dump the lawyers and let the judges come in an enforce the law. Let us see where these people are--the state and the Bishop. Why should we delay the inevitable?

As far as ellen is concerned, it is time for the state and for mothers to respect fathers and fatherhood

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, Minnesota 01/26/2008 10:29 AM EST

How ironic. When Pope Benedict intrudes, for instance, in Italian politics, it is for the cause of life. When Wisconsin politicians intrude in the business of Catholic hospitals, they do so in the name of death.

Published by: Ingrid
Casper Wy 01/25/2008 06:41 PM EST

I hope and PRAY that the Catholic hospitals will LIVE the TRUTH and defy state attempts to legislate immorality. If the Catholic hospitals close, then it is the fault of the Wisconsin government, not the Catholic Church. I'm fed up with secularists and their evil, ill-willed agenda. It is time to walk and live in the light of Truth, God's Truth. I encourage all Catholics to walk in the light of Truth!

Published by: Joseph Wagner
Sarasota Fl. USA 01/25/2008 06:13 PM EST

Hi

If I lived in Wisconcin, I would move out of the state.

Joe Wagner

Published by: Philip Saenz
Houston/Tx/USA 01/25/2008 04:59 PM EST

Strange, if it had been something against Muslims, the legislators would not have inforced it. But, Catholics and other Christians, as usual, are easy targets.

Published by: Scot
Madison, WI 01/25/2008 04:26 PM EST

So rape victims should have to give birth to the child of their rapist. That also sounds fair. I guess it's time for SOCIETY to tell rape victims that they're just BREEDING STOCK for anyone who decides to assault them?

Published by: Moises De Loera
Hayward, CA 01/25/2008 04:23 PM EST

It is shameful that that state is taking sides with the pro-choice peple. Catholics must not give up in the effort to fight for women health and protection agains the so call pro-choice people. The legislation is pure persecution agains the catholic church. We must not give up.

Published by: Jeanne
Tampa, Florida 01/25/2008 04:22 PM EST

Instead of the bickering, why not provide a safer environment for women and not force women into marrying jerks? Or force women into dating jerks?

Or teach women how not to get themselves into situations where this could happen?

Why not offer support (*$$ ) ?

Published by: Dick Dickman
Gr. Rpds., MI 01/25/2008 04:05 PM EST

The answer to politicians who totally disregard moral teachings of the Catholic Church is simple. Simply close (or) threaten to close all hospitals the day of the affected law begins. Refuse to sell to another group! Simply close them down!
The acountability will then fall on the shoulders of the politicans.

Published by: Robert Rice
New Hartford, CT, USA 01/25/2008 04:00 PM EST

We used to die for Christ. Now we are given the deadly medicine to give others to kill the unborn. We should refuse at all costs. What will they do? Close the hospital? Let em. It's time to force the issue. It time to show we mean what we say and what we believe. It's time to put up or shut up. When are we going to stand up for our Religion, our Faith, our rights? Who will stand for Christ?

Published by: christine
IL 01/25/2008 02:22 PM EST

as a former Wisconsite,
i am saddened that the religious-affiliated hospitals are not respected in this instance. statistics prove, a victim of rape rarely conceives a child as a result of the assault. in the event a child is conceived, the mother is victimized a second time by allowing her child, who is created in Our Lord's image and in accordance with His Will, to be killed. the child has a right to life despite this unfortunate union. the child must never pay the price with his or her life for the crimes of the father.

Published by: Jack PIcknell
Burnaby, BC Canada 01/25/2008 01:13 PM EST

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Should we not propose legislation to force hospitals to kill the rape victim as well?

Th other option is to simply close down the emergency ward completely the day this unjust law comes into force.

Published by: Jack Francis
Boston, MA USA 01/25/2008 01:02 PM EST

It is one thing to require hospitals
to inform any self-described victim of sexual assault of “emergency contraception”.
It is quite another thing to require a Catholic hospital to provide it upon her request.
This certainly must be challenged and, if necessary, brought to the highest courts.

Published by: Chris
USA 01/25/2008 12:58 PM EST

Catholic Hospitals should refuse to cooperate with this 'law'. They are not bound by any legislation that goes against Catholic teaching. Its about time ALL Catholic Charities, includig Catholic hospitals, stop accepting federal and state money and start fearlessly adhering to Catholic teaching.

Published by: Warren Goddard
Portsmouth NH USA 01/25/2008 12:58 PM EST

I await the Bishop Morlino and Listecki announcement ordering the hospitals to close.
Warren

Published by: ellen
Madison, WI 01/25/2008 12:41 PM EST

Not only will the IUD as an abortifacient kill the baby, but it has dangerous side affects for the woman --bleeding, infection, etc. It's time the public was educated and it's time for MEN to respect MOTHERHOOD!

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