FLORIDA BISHOPS SPEAK OUT
AS ROE V. WADE MARKS 28TH YEAR

Tallahassee --- As the United States Supreme Court decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton mark their 28^th anniversary, the Catholic Bishops of Florida issued a statement calling the decisions "unfortunate rulings," which "stripped away protection of law from unborn children at any stage of pregnancy."  The Bishops also condemned the high court’s June 2000 decision on partial-birth abortion, saying that this decision expands this right, "from killing children in the womb, to children almost completely born (Stenberg v. Carhart)."

Noting that the acceptance of abortion has become increasingly widespread in recent years, the Bishops stated, "In opposing these decisions and seeking their overturn, we hoped for and expected support from the two professions most dedicated to preservation and defense of human life, those of medicine and law.  Sadly, that support has not come."  The Bishops also cited the entertainment and media industries for their growing support in openly advocating euthanasia and assisted suicide.  They express their concern that today’s society has "become coarsened in its respect for and defense of human life," and insist that "this tide must be turned."

D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director of the Florida Catholic Conference, said the Bishops’ statement, "is a sign of their support for all who work so courageously to overcome the ills of abortion, and also of their belief that one day the changed hearts and minds of Americans will lead the Court to turn back Roe and Doe.

Offering their prayers and love for those who have been affected by abortion, the Bishops stated, "We wish to express to them the love and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said to another woman involved in sin, ‘. . . neither do I condemn you’." They reiterated that "abortion and infanticide are evil and beneath us as a people," and pledged their continued efforts to educate and pray that the "laws of our nation will again respect the lives of every human being, from its very beginning, until its natural end."

The complete statement signed by all the Bishops may be accessed at:
http://www.flacathconf.org/ B5/BishopsStatements/Bpst2000/Bsroew01.htm

The Florida Catholic Conference is an agency of the Catholic Bishops, established in 1969.  It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy, serves as liaison to government and the legislature, and coordinates communications and activities between the Church and secular agencies.  The Bishops of the seven dioceses of Florida constitute its Board of Directors.