re: "State Legislators Debate Pro-Life, School Choice Bills" (Catholic Standard & Times, January 2012)

A. B. Hill, APR. Director of Communications.
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
223 North Street. PO Box 2835

Dear Ms. Hill,

Your recent update appeared in my archdiocesan newspaper, under the title "State Legislators Debate Pro-Life, School Choice Bills" (Catholic Standard & Times, January 2012).

With regard to SB 732, you rightfully note that "The passage of this bill into law is a victory for women and children in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) is urging all advocates to thank their legislators who voted yes for their pro-life vote on SB 732." Well said, but incomplete....

Many thought that SB 732's application of common sense health standards to abortion facilities - especially in light of the grand jury report on Kermit Gosnell & his associates - would find quick and easy consensus. Yet 62 members of the Pennsylvania Legislature opposed SB 732. In the House, 2 of the 44 opposing SB 732 on December 13th identify themselves as Catholic :
•Eddie Day Pashinski (121) of Wilkes-Barre; Epashinski@pahouse.net
•John Sabatina, Jr (174) of Philadelphia; jsabatin@pahouse.net
In the Senate, 4 of the 18 opposing SB 732 on December 14th identify themselves as Catholic:
•Lisa M. Boscola (18) of Bethlehem; boscola@pasenate.com
•Jay Costa, Jr (43) of Pittsburgh; costa@pasenate.com
•Wayne Fontana (42) of Pittsburgh; fontana@pasenate.com
•Charles 'Chuck' T. McIlhinney, Jr (10) of Doylestown; cmcilhinney@pasen.gov

With regard to HB 1977, you rightfully note that "the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 146 to 45 to remove abortion funding from the state health care exchanges that will be created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)." It should be added that 7 of the 45 in the House who opposed HB 1977 identify themselves as Catholic:
•Paul Costa (34) of Turtle Creek; pcosta@pahouse.net
•Frank Dermody (33) of Oakmont; fdermody@pahouse.net
•Michael McGeehan of Philadelphia; mmcgeeha@pahouse.net
•Eddie Day Pashinski (121) of Wilkes-Barre; Epashinski@pahouse.net
•John Sabatina, Jr (174) of Philadelphia; jsabatin@pahouse.net
•Dante Santoni, Jr (126) of Reading; dsantoni@pahouse.net
•Jesse White (46) of Cecil; jwhite@pahouse.net

You go on to explain that "House Bill 1977 now goes to the state senate. This bill is similar to Senate Bill 3, which passed 37-12 in the Senate earlier this year." It should be noted that of the 12 senators who opposed SB 3 in June, two identify themselves as Catholic:
•Jay Costa, Jr (43) of Pittsburgh; costa@pasenate.com
•Wayne Fontana (42) of Pittsburgh; fontana@pasenate.com

To quote Archbishop Chaput, I believe that the scandalous votes of these Catholic politicians has created an environment, where it is "necessary for the bishop to publicly say something." I hope and pray that the bishops of Pennsylvania will do just that.

All of us need to show concern for the common good and for our elected officials' souls.

Sincerely,