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January 16, 1997
The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As you begin your second term, I wish to assure you of my prayers.
Good counsel and wisdom will be needed to resolve the difficult
issues facing our nation.
One such issue is partial-birth abortion. It is my understanding
that Congress is likely to consider this matter again. It is my
sincere hope that the forthcoming discussion will avoid the worst
aspects of last year's debate. I pray that time will not be wasted
debating claims that have been proven to be false.
It is reported that Senator Daschle, with your approval, is crafting
a bill to ban third-trimester abortions with exceptions for "life
or health." Such a bill would prevent neither partial-birth
abortions, nor late-term abortions in general. The vast majority
of partial-birth abortions are performed in the second trimester
of pregnancy, a fact confirmed by independent investigations and
by the doctor whose paper initiated this debate.
In regard to third-trimester abortions, an exception for "health"
(or "serious adverse health" or any similar formulation)
eviscerates the ban. The Supreme Court has interpreted "health"
so broadly in the abortion context that it includes abortions
for almost any social or emotional reason. Those who perform partial-birth
abortions have admitted publicly that they have done so for reasons
of the woman's "youth" or "depression" or
even the child "cleft palate."
Furthermore, the evidence that partial-birth abortion is never
necessary to preserve a woman's health or fertility is overwhelming.
I urge you to consult with the Physicians' Ad-Hoc Coalition for
Truth (PHACT), a group of nearly 400 physicians who have spoken
out on this.
Mr. President, I believe it would be beneficial if you and I,
perhaps with a doctor from PHACT, were to discuss this matter.
I would welcome such an opportunity.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bernard Cardinal Law
Chairman