Catholic Conference contradicts itself

The Catholic Conference of Illinois took issue with Gov. Pat Quinn’s attendance at Personal PAC’s Nov. 17 Annual Luncheon for the purpose of saying a few kind words about a woman who survived being raped and is now showing tremendous courage by speaking out publicly on behalf of all rape victims and their families. In its public statement, the Catholic Conference stated, “Our hearts go out to any victim of rape, one of the most personally violent crimes against women.” I find this statement curious at best in light of the facts.

Several years ago, the Illinois General Assembly was working on a law requiring hospitals to offer information about emergency contraceptives to rape victims who were brought to emergency rooms, often accompanied by police officers who responded to the crime, following a sexual assault. Emergency contraception is a double dose of the birth control pill taken immediately after an assault that would prevent a rape victim from getting pregnant by the man who raped her. The Catholic Conference worked overtime lobbying legislators and preaching from the pulpit against this bill. It was eventually approved.

To say that your heart goes out to a rape victim and then attempt to deny her information about avoiding getting pregnant by the man who raped her seems rather cruel and heartless to me.

Terry Cosgrove

President & CEO

Personal PAC

Chicago