Despite the protests of many Right- to-Life groups across all faith communities in Illinois, pleas from the Catholic Conference of Illinois and thousands of those concerned for the protection of minors, the Illinois House and Senate voted to repeal a decades-old law that requires a parent to be notified when a minor seeks an abortion. 

 

Senate Bill 370 passed with a 32-22 vote Oct. 26, to repeal with four members of the Democratic majority party joining Republicans in opposition. 

 

Even though a minor cannot get pierced ears, a tattoo or be treated by a physician without parental consent, now in Illinois, a minor can end the life of another — an effort that supporters sought in order to cement the state’s position as a liberal leader on abortion rights. 

 

The Life and Evangelization Office of the Diocese of Rockford has joined others in trying to preserve parental notification not only to save thousands of unborn lives but also to stem the tide of sex trafficking in this part of the state. Kevin Fuss, diocesan director of Research and Planning, has helped spear-head local opposition to the repeal. 

 

“Removing parental notification gives the green light to an increase in the sex trade of young girls, because their capters now have no restriction on bringing in minors to end pregnancies and quickly put them back into illegal sex for hire,” Fuss said.

 

Bishop David Malloy on Oct. 29, issued a statement on the decision he and other bishops of Illinois actively fought against. The statement was posted on the Diocese of Rockford website, Facebook page and sent to all priests and parishes. It reads: 

 

“This week, both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate voted to repeal the requirement of parental notification of abortion in this state. Simply put, that requirement articulated the common sense that parents must be informed by an abortion facility 48 hours in advance of an abortion involving their daughter when she is a minor. 

 

“Not surprisingly, polls show wide-spread opposition to this decision. The repeal of this requirement has devastating implications including the undermining of trust between parents and daughters and the legislative hubris of interfering in the God-given and natural responsibility of parents for their children. Young girls will find themselves isolated at a crucial moment of life and made vulnerable to sexual predators. And of course, this action ignores the science as Pope Francis has recently reminded us — when speaking about the child in the womb he said ‘Scientifically it’s a human life. The [embryology] textbooks teach us that.’

 

“I urge all people of good will to offer their prayers at this time. We pray for all the future victims of this tragic vote. We pray also for all those who have voted for this legislation. 

 

“But given our democratic society, this is a vote we should never forget. At the next election we should be mindful of those legislators who voted in favor of family, young girls and life, and those who did not. 

 

“Our participation in the democratic process and our society should make this a primary issue to recall as we seek to bring about a better world that is truly just. The young girls of Illinois deserve better than this.”