Catholic Review Online: Bishops’s statement urges support for pregnant women, rejects harassment of pro-life centers

The Catholic Review has posted an article calling for support for women facing crisis pregnancies. The post describes a document written by the Bishops of the Maryland Catholic Conference called "Set Out in Haste." The Catholic Review story states in part:

“Set Out in Haste: Serving Women, Serving Life” was signed by Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl and Wilmington Bishop W. Francis Malooly, whose dioceses include parts of Maryland.

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The statement decries a recent campaign by NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and Planned Parenthood of Maryland to single out pro-life pregnancy resource centers, which provide pregnant women with emotional and material assistance.

Since 2008, three proposals have been introduced – one each at the state level, in Baltimore City and in Montgomery County – that would subject pregnancy resource centers to compelled-speech requirements, regulations, and possible fines because they decline to provide or refer for abortion or contraception.

The state bill died in committee in 2008, the Baltimore City bill was signed into law in December, and the Montgomery County proposal is still under consideration.

The bishops asserted that the proposals send a “disturbing” message that failure to provide abortion or contraception is an activity that merits regulation and, if necessary, punishment. "

The full article in the Catholic Review can be found here. The link to the full statement by the Bishops to the Maryland Catholic Conference, "Set Out in Haste," can be found here.