Philadelphia officially declared "pro-choice" city

Philadelphia, Pa., Jun 13, 2007 / 07:22 am

Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia has called on all people of goodwill to join him in rejecting “the divisive and erroneous label” that Philadelphia is now a pro-choice city.

Philadelphia City Council voted 9-8 on Monday in favor of a resolution that labels the city as pro-choice. The controversial vote followed a heated debate.

“In a city where so many people vigorously defend life at every stage, proclaiming Philadelphia ‘pro-choice’ is inconsistent with reality,” argued Cardinal Rigali, who also heads the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “It unfairly saddles those who support life at all stages with this shameful label.”

“The dialogue between individuals and groups working to build a just society is ill-served by City Council's unproductive resolution,” he continued. He said city council members who voted is favor of the resolution should apologize to the thousands of Philadelphians they offended “and turn their energies toward improving the quality of life and the safeguarding of all residents.”

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced the resolution at the request of Planned Parenthood, which helped her draft the proposal, reported LifeSiteNews.com.

“We wanted to make it clear this city cares about pro-choice,” Brown reportedly said. “They asked me to do it. I agreed with their views and I agreed to introduce the resolution. At the end of the day, we have to decide what we want the city to look like and be about.”

Councilman Brian J. O'Neill rejected the resolution. “There are people we represent on both sides of this issue. This is a pro-choice and a pro-life city,” O’Neill argued. “This resolution is disrespectful to taxpayers who are pro-life.”