By Joan Thompson The Catholic Church opposes all abortions, no matter the method, but when abortions are taking place, the safety and informed consent of the women involved should be among our chief concerns. Women and girls in the United States have been legally entitled to end their pregnancy through abortion for over 40 years. [...]
This week the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee may consider HF 2405, a bill that will prevent a cause of action that allows a parent to bring a lawsuit claiming a child should have been aborted because of a disability. The “wrongful birth” claim did not exist in Iowa before it was created by the Iowa [...]
The Iowa Catholic Conference supports the life-affirming intent of “heartbeat” abortion legislation such as Senate File 2281. We appreciate legislators for their efforts to advance the protection of unborn children and we remain committed to helping with efforts aimed at resolving questions regarding the bill’s constitutionality. Science shows that life begins at conception. May we [...]
The ICC provided the following comments to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Feb. 8, 2018 regarding SSB 3143, a bill to stop abortion after a heartbeat can be detected: The Iowa Catholic Conference supports the life-affirming intent of “heartbeat legislation.” In fact, science shows that life begins at conception. We acknowledge the efforts of legislators [...]
In 1977, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment with bi-partisan support, and since that time its action has protected millions of vulnerable human lives. An accelerating political movement to end Hyde requires the support of Catholics to preserve its defense of human life and dignity against the offense of abortion. The Hyde Amendment was created in [...]
Iowa Catholic Conference staff was pleased to be present when Gov. Terry Branstad signed Senate File 471 on May 5. The bill prohibits abortion after 20 weeks post-fertilization with exceptions to save the life of the mother or for a serious physical health emergency. The bill also contains a three-day waiting period before an abortion. [...]
The current legislative session presents an opportunity to take action on pro-life issues and ICC and our allies are lobbying to advance three bills that have survived the first funnel date. Each bill addresses an important element of ending the assault on life and dignity that abortion represents, and together would represent the most substantial [...]
Stand with us! March with us! In January, as hundreds of Iowans once again join hundreds of thousands on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life, there will also be a day-long opportunity for pro-life advocacy and education in downtown Des Moines. The Midwest March for Life will be held [...]
“… a widespread mentality of profit, the throwaway culture, which has today enslaved the hearts and minds of so many.” Pope Francis, on the subject of abortion The recent revelations of Planned Parenthood’s practice of marketing fetal parts and bodies generated by abortion has shaken much of the nation. As Catholics, we know the common [...]
June 19, 2015 We are disappointed by the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a rule prohibiting abortions by telemedicine. In 2013 the Iowa Board of Medicine approved a rule that required a physician to be physically present when abortion drugs are being provided, rather than pushing a button following a remote video consultation. [...]