Conference yukon::christian_v7

           I have copies of the RTL petition to stop FOCA.  Send me mail
           if you need a copy.
           
           Steve

    If I understand this properly, FOCA will also force organizations (such
    as Catholic hospitals) to perform abortions against the moral will of
    said organization.  Is this true?  If so, it's really ironic that they
    feel they can impose their morality on us when they've been crying to
    "fundamentalists" over that very same issue for centuries.
    
    I'm a regular contributor to our local RTL, but would like a copy of
    the petition too.
    
    Mike

    RE:2 
    I heard the same thing. Many don't realize it, but hospitals that
    perform abortions, ask nurses and doctors if they will be able to
    assist in abortions if hired. Guess what happens if they say no ?


    Jim

    It seems to me that by the definition the looney left uses, this would
    be a direct violation of "separation of church and state."  The sad
    thing is that the overall public is unaware this bill even exists.  It
    is being down played tremendously.  I don't think it will fly in its
    current text.
    
    Jack

                     re: <<< Note 51.4 by MSBCS::JMARTIN >>>
    
     Jack

     > The sad thing is that the overall public is unaware this bill even
     > exists. 

     What is even sadder is the fact that the majority of those who *do*
     realize its existence (*including* those in the Church) don't really
     care. Not since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has *any* proposed Federal
     law so clearly and directly sought to impose Federal will on the
     States, overriding and steam-rolling whatever state-level statutory
     hinderances there may be. What will be next? Federally mandated day care? 

     > It is being down played tremendously. 

     Of course. If you wanted to hit your opposition with a knockout punch,
     would you telegraph it to the opposition? 

     > I don't think it will fly in its current text. 

     You watch - it will fly through Congress like the bat out of Hell that
     it is.

     Brian

    Can someone who has seen the FOCA summarize it for me?  I've only seen
    references to it, or third hand statments of what it implies.  I've
    never actually heard what it contains.
    
    Thanks
    
    Don Randall

I don't have the text, but it is touted by
those who are pro-abortion as

  "Abortion without apology"

Indeed.

Collis

re Note 51.6 by NWD002::RANDALL_DO:

>     Can someone who has seen the FOCA summarize it for me?  

       <<< LYCEUM::DISK$NOTES:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CATHOLIC-THEOLOGY.NOTE;1 >>>
                             -< Catholic Theology >-
================================================================================
Note 253.197                        Abortion                          197 of 226
COVERT::COVERT "John R. Covert"                      45 lines  26-OCT-1992 20:59
                         -< The Freedom of Choice Act >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
102nd Congress								S.25
1st Session			A   B I L L

To protect the reproductive rights of women, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled:

Section 1.  Short Title

	This act may be cited as the "Freedom of Choice Act of 1991".

Section 2.  Right to Choose

	(a) In General -- Except as provided in subsection (b), a State
    may not restrict the right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy --
	    (1) before fetal viability; or
	    (2) at any time, if such termination is necessary to protect
	the life or health of the woman.

	(b) Medically Necessary Requirements -- A State may impose
    requirements medically necessary to protect the life or health of
    women referred to in subsection (a).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        [The rest of the note is commentary by John Covert and can be
        read in the CATHOLIC-THEOLOGY conference.]

Define "viable."  If that means the ability to live on one's own, then it sure
doesn't include newborn babies, 2 year olds, the mentally retarded, the elderly,
paraplegics.....  I get very nervous defining humanity in terms of the ability
to support yourself.

The only thing that a newborn baby can get by themselves that an unborn baby
cannot is air.  They can't get water, food, shelter, or any of the other
necessities of life.  They are 100% dependent on adult humans to supply all of
their needs, except for air.

So what's so special about air?  And if not being able to get your own air makes
you not "viable," what about the elderly who need oxygen?  Or people who have
had an illness that requires respiratory support, or.........

Paul

    
    True enough Paul!  There is one other thing that a new born baby cannot
    live without even if it has all of the aforementioned things, that is
    love.  Documented studies show that feeding and breathing are not
    enough to keep a new born alive, they must be loved.
    
    Yak

    I found a little card by the offering box at church. It's entitled: 
    Key Facts about FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act, prepared by: National
    Conference of Catholic Bishops. It contains the following summary of
    the bill.
    
    - The "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) would forcibly impose a policy of
      abortion on demand on every community in all 50 states
    
    - After viability, throughout the ninth month of pregnancy, FOCA
      requires every state to allow abortions for "health" reasons. Health
      reason include any social or emotional concerns a mother has about
      being pregnant or raising a child.
    
    - After 20 years of virtually unrestricted abortion, fewer than 10% of
      Americans support unlimited, unregulated abortions (Wirthin Group
      2/1/93). FOCA ignores Americans' serious moral concerns about
      destroying unborn human lives and protecting women.
    
    - **FOCA WOULD ABOLISH** many existing laws which Americans support,
      including laws which:
    
    	- Ensure that children born alive during post-viability abortions
    	  receive the care any newborn deserves.
    
    	- REcognizing a husband's right to know if his wife is planning to
    	  abort their child.
    
    	- Ensure that women have the information they need and deserve to
    	  make an informed decision on abortion.
    
    	- Require parental notification or consent. FOCA may prevent
    	  communities from ensuring true parental involvement by allowing a
    	  parent's right to be exercised by any "responsible adult" - a teen's
    	  18-year old friend or an abortion clinic counsellor.
    
    	- Ensure that only licensed **physicians** can perform abortions.