Catholic Charities opposes budget measure, supports parental notification

Sacramento, Calif., Oct 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Catholic Charities of California announced Oct. 26 that it will oppose Proposition 76, which drastically changes the California budget process, and support Proposition 73, the Parental Notification Initiative.

It says Prop 76 would introduce “autopilot functions” in the budget that would automatically limit services for the poor.

"Rather than set down these automatic regulations, we encourage the Governor and the Legislature to work together to address the very real fiscal challenges faced by California," said Steve Pehanich, executive director of the board of directors.

At the same time, the organization voiced its support for Proposition 73, the Parental Notification Initiative, which would require that parents be informed before their underage daughters get an abortion. 

"Children can't leave school property for a field trip without parental permission, but they can leave in an unknown person's car and undergo an abortion without permission or notification," said Pehanich. "Where is the logic in that?"

Currently all medical procedures except abortion require parental involvement, from tattoos and body piercings to receiving an aspirin or cold medicine at school.

"It is illogical to acknowledge the necessity of involving parents in important decisions about their children, but exclude one procedure. An abortion has the potential of imposing a deep emotional impact and a child should not have to go through that without a parent's knowledge," Pehanich pointed out.
 
"Government policy ought to affirm and encourage the growth of parent-child relationships, recognizing that the vast majority of parents place the well-being of their children above any other consideration" said Pehanich.