Catholic State Leaders Stand with Planned Parenthood

Today, more than 90 Catholic state leaders and legislators from 31 states joined together in a two-page spread in Politico, vowing to stand with Planned Parenthood. Factions in Congress continue to try to defund the organization during the ongoing battles on spending bills. This month, conservative extremist groups are again threatening to hold government funding hostage unless Planned Parenthood funding is eliminated for next year.

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The ad draws on Catholic teachings on social justice and the preferential option for the poor by highlighting the bleak outlook of a world without Planned Parenthood: “Where a mother in Chicago works extra shifts to pay for groceries, but can’t afford contraception. Where a woman in the Appalachian hills takes several buses to a clinic, only to be told she cannot have her procedure and must come back. Where a woman in Tupelo with a family history of cervical cancer can’t go to a reliable health center for yearly Pap smears. Where a boy in Utica isn’t offered sex education at his school and cannot turn to a quality healthcare provider for information or services when he contracts an STI.”

“These Catholic leaders and legislators know that Planned Parenthood provides essential care to the poorest among us,” said Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice. “Planned Parenthood’s work is critical to the health of millions. As Catholics, as leaders and as Americans, we stand with Planned Parenthood as it suffers ongoing attacks at the local, state and national levels.”

Planned Parenthood exemplifies real Catholic values and standing by them is the right thing to do. We urge Congress to pass funding bills that protect Planned Parenthood.