US bishops’ launches campaign for partial-birth abortion ban

Washington D.C., Oct 2, 2006 / 22:00 pm

As the U.S. Supreme Court opened and prepare to tackle the two challenges to the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, the Second Look Project launched a five-week public awareness campaign on the issue.

The campaign, called “Supreme Court Countdown: Partial-Birth Abortion”, began Oct. 2 when the Court opened its new term, and ends Nov. 8 when oral arguments in the case are scheduled.

During these five weeks, the Second Look Project will send a fact or quote on partial-birth abortion in an e-card each weekday to Congress, news media, and opinion leaders. These facts will also be posted on the Project’s website, www.secondlookproject.org.

“Six years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court invoked its Roe v. Wade decision to strike down state laws against partial-birth abortion,” said Deirdre McQuade of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, who oversees the Second Look Project.

“Now that the court is taking a second look at the horrendous practice of partial-birth abortion, this new campaign will help remind the public and our elected officials how much is at stake.”

President George Bush had signed the bill into law, but it was found unconstitutional by lower courts because it did not include exceptions for women’s health.

The procedure involves doctors partially delivering a child then crushing its skull with a metal instrument. After examining medical evidence, Congress passed the bill with no health exceptions, finding that the procedure, which results in the death of a partially born baby, was never medically necessary.