DIOCESE—The Catholic Conference of Illinois has issued an action alert regarding HB1797, which seeks to repeal Illinois’ Parental Notification of Abortion Act.

 

A message from the Diocesan Life and Family Evangelization Office says the bill should be of concern to all people — pro-life and pro-choice alike — as it usurps a parent’s right to know about the health care being provided to their child. 

 

The message to parish right to life committees also explained under current law, minors cannot get a tattoo or piercing without parental consent. Minors cannot vote, buy cigarettes or  lottery tickets, but the proposed legislation would allow them to get an abortion without the knowledge of their parents. 

 

The bill also makes it easier to abuse young girls, especially by human traffickers, and it aids predators who take advantage of at-risk girls and runaways. 

 

The fact that Illinois will become the only state among its neighboring states not to have some type of parental notification law will make it more likely that young girls will be brought across statelines for this procedure.

 

The LiFE Office urged parish right to life committees to activate their legislative alert trees as soon as possible. 

 

The Catholic Conference of Illinois recommends writing to, calling or setting up Zoom meetings with state senators and representatives.

 

The conference said in a letter, “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the advocacy efforts that were effectively used in the past cannot be pursued. There will be no Life Advocacy Days, and in-person meetings with legislators are not possible at this point. However, there are contacts we can still make, and we are counting on you to help facilitate them. Possible method of contact include phone calls, letters, emails, and Zoom meetings with your legislators as their concerned constituent.”

 

Info: life@rockforddiocese.org