Cardinal Cupich condemns proposed abortion legislation as ‘the latest attack on human dignity’

The Catholic Conference of Illinois spoke out Thursday against a pair of Democratic-sponsored abortion bills in a press conference at the State Capitol Building in Springfield. The Bishops of Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield stood alongside Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“The state and its leaders have not only a responsibility, but also a vested interest in defending the sanctity and value of every human life,” said Cardinal Cupich, Chairman of the Catholic Conference of Illinois. “We must view this proposed legislation as the latest attack on human dignity.”

The first of the two bills, the Reproductive Health Act, “Provides that every individual has a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about one’s own reproductive health,” according to the bill. “Every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion, and to make autonomous decisions about how to exercise that right.”

The second bill, the Parental Notice Abortion-Repeal, states that it, “Repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, and the Consent by Minors to Medical Procedures Act. Effective immediately.”

The Catholic Conference is the latest voice in a long line of opposition to the bills. State Rep. Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine) and Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) are just two of the GOP leaders who have recently spoken out against the legislation, and pro-life rallies have been taking place in Springfield and elsewhere.

“Against such mounting challenges to human dignity, it is critically important that each of us, but especially our elected leaders, defend the inherent and inevitable value of every human life,” Cupich said. “I call on our legislatures to reject these harmful bills.”