Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE APRIL 16, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA This week, as we recall the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the theme of innocence has been on my mind and in my heart. Jesus was, as Isaiah prophesied, oppressed and afflicted, "yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7). An address that Pope Francis gave this past week to representatives of the Italian Pro-life Movement also brings innocence to mind. He warned the group about the growth of a "throw-away culture" that discards even innocent life. Therefore, he said, "it is necessary to confirm the firmest opposition to every direct attempt against life, especially innocent and vulnerable life, and the unborn in the maternal womb is the innocent one par excellence." Recent events at our state Capitol have brought home the theme of innocence even more strongly. For those of you who haven't heard, this past week, Senate Bill 175 was introduced under the misleading title of the "Reproductive Health Free- dom Act." But this is not a typical bill by any means. NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League), which is supporting the bill alongside Planned Parenthood, describes the bill as "the first of its kind" in the country and "ambitious" because it estab- lishes a "fundamental right" to anything deemed "reproduc- tive health care" and prevents the state from creating any laws that deny or interfere with accessing those things. The potential scope of this bill, if it becomes law, is vast. And its ability to keep crucial information from women in difficult situations, to throw away those children who are inconvenient or unwanted, is equally worrisome. This bill would prevent legislators from enacting laws such as ultrasound requirements, certain health code regulations for abortion facilities, or waiting periods for those considering an abortion. It also has the potential to do away with Colorado's parental notification law, which requires that parents be notified when their child is thinking about having an abortion. Beyond that, if the sex education in public schools is considered "reproductive health care," then parents could forfeit their right to opt their children out of the classes. On April 11, Pope Francis voiced his support for parents' rights to decide their children's moral and religious education and re- jected "any kind of educational experimentation with children." He further stated, "The horrors of the manipulation of edu- cation that we experienced in the great genocidal dictatorships of the 20th century have not disappeared; they have retained a current relevance under various guises and proposals and, with the pretense of modernity, push children and young people to walk on the dictatorial path of 'only one form of thought.'" This bill would protect that "one form of thought" which Pope Francis warns against and undermine everyone's freedom to promote the dignity of human life and the unborn child. Proponents of SB 175 argue that their ability to access contra- ception and abortion will be in danger if this bill is not passed. But during testimony on the bill, not a single person in favor of it could cite an instance of not having access to contraception or abortion. In other words, this bill is not needed and will only serve to strengthen the hand of those who want to strengthen their bottom line at the expense of the innocent. During this Holy Week, I urge you to beseech the Lord on behalf of the innocents who would be threatened if this bill becomes law. But do not stop there. Get in touch your senator, the media and those who are willing to stand up for those who cannot speak, who cannot open their mouths. The Colorado Catholic Conference can help you learn more about this bill or get contact information for your senator. You can call 303-894-8808 or visit their website: www.cocatholic conference.org. May the words of the prophet Isaiah penetrate your hearts, "yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter," so that you may see the innocence of Jesus and pro- tect "the innocent one par excellence" in the unborn! This Holy Week, innocents are at risk DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-722-4687 OR CIRCULATION@ARCHDEN.ORG Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Denver Catholic Register (USPS 557-020) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January, and in June, July and August when it goes bi-weekly. The Register is printed by Signature Offset in Denver. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. Subscriptions: $35 a year in Colorado; $42 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $42 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $48 air; Canada, $55 air. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic Register, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or e-mail circulation@archden.org. Editorial: 303-715-3215 or editor@archden.org Advertising: 303-715-3253 or dcrads@archden.org Circulation: 303-715-3211 or circulation@archden.org Online: www.DenverCatholicRegister.org General Manager Karna Swanson Editor Roxanne King Business Manager Michael O'Neill the dignity of life and to urge lawmakers to uphold pro-life legislation. Karna Swanson, spokes- woman for the Denver Archdi- ocese, said the broad interpre- tation of Senate Bill 175 poses even more damaging threats to mothers and babies. "The pro-life movement has been working for decades to promote legislation that protects life and promotes a culture that is life-giving and life-affirming. This legislation directly attacks those efforts, and threatens to sever that most beautiful bond between mother and child," Swanson said. Open interpretation Much of the testimony and debate during the April 10 leg- islative hearing was centered on the bill's language. Lawmak- ers questioned the reference to an "individual's" reproductive health care decisions and what denial or interference means. Pro-life advocates argued the language threatens the life of the unborn. "For many of the citizens in Colorado, individuals exist be- fore they're born. And then I as a member of the Legislature in Colorado have a responsibili- ty to defend their inalienable rights," said Sen. Kevin Lund- berg, R-Larimer, a member of the committee. "I believe it's important that we understand what we're talking about and not gloss over the basic phi- losophy, moral and theological principles that are at play with this legislation." Bill co-sponsor Sen. Andy Kerr, D-Jefferson, said the term "individual" speaks for itself. "I definitely believe there is a fundamental right of an in- dividual to make their own de- cisions about their own body," Kerr said to the committee. "A person has the right to make those decisions above the gov- ernment coming into their bedroom and making those decisions for them." Others worried the bill's lan- guage would need the court's intervention and could force organizations to provide ob- jectionable services and de- vices related to contraception, abortion and sexuality. Marcy McGovern of Alter- natives Pregnancy Center in Denver testified she was con- cerned the bill would impact their nonprofit. "We know that as a private organization we still need to adhere to the law. So the concern would be that if this broad law passes there would be trickle-down effects for us," McGovern told the committee. Other testimony was split over the freedom to access re- productive health and if there are current limitations on a woman's decision. Kraska stated women al- ready have freedom to make reproductive health decisions in the state and that the law is unnecessary. "This legislation, no matter what the title might imply, is not about freedom," she tes- tified. "Freedom is more than an unlimited supply of choic- es. True freedom is the ability to know and the courage to do what is right and what is just. And this legislation is neither right nor just for the people of Colorado and it certainly does nothing to respect the dignity of the human person." One woman reiterated she only wants the freedom to choose without government intervention. "I don't agree with people who try to legislate their mo- rality on my body," said Jackie Perkins of Denver. The conference is urging all citizens with pro-life views to contact their representatives. Swanson added that speak- ing against the bill is to take a stand "in favor of mom and baby." "There is so much in our cul- ture that tries to tear families apart," she said. "Let's take a stand to keep mom and baby together." Bill From Page 1 CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR Use the conference's website to find your legislator and contact them. www.votervoice.net/COCC/ Address Sign-up to join the confer- ence's Legislative Network and stay updated on events at the Capitol. www.votervoice.net/COCC/ Register PBS to look back at Denver's WYD 1993 FATHER Giovanni Capucci, judicial vicar for the Metropol- itan Tribunal, conducts an inter- view April 9 at the John Paul II Center in south Denver for an episode of PBS Channel 12's Colorado Experience series. The episode, titled "Pope John Paul II," will highlight Denver's 1993 World Youth Day. It will air Oct. 23. Father Capucci received his vocational call at Denver's World Youth Day when he attended the youth celebra- tion as a pilgrim from his native Italy. The show will also feature Catholic author Mary Beth Bonacci and Denver Catholic Register editor Roxanne King. PHOTO BY KARNA SWANSON/DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER

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