Alaska Churches Urged to Promote Vote for Parental Notification on Abortion
by Joel Davidson
July 12, 2010
LifeNews.com Note: This article originally appeared in the Catholic Anchor newspaper and is reproduced here with permission.
Juneau, AK (LifeNews.com) — On August 24, Alaskans will vote on a ballot initiative that requires abortion practitioners to inform parents before performing an abortion on a minor girl. With only weeks left before the vote, supporters of the initiative have asked area churches to raise awareness and support for the proposed law.
In a July 2 email to supporters, Alaskans for Parental Rights urged pastors, priests and church leaders to “speak from the pulpit loud and clear about this important cultural matter.”
In addition, the group asked church leaders to distribute informational materials such as bumper stickers and yard signs.
While religious organizations cannot endorse a candidate or political party, the IRS has clearly stated that religious groups have the right to take strong stands on policy issues or proposed legislation without jeopardizing their non-profit status.
Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has repeatedly urged Catholic parishes to back the initiative and has even called on priests to address the issue during Masses.
If the initiative passes, it will require all abortion practitioners to notify at least one parent of a minor girl before aborting her unborn child. Currently, abortions may be performed in Alaska on minors without ever notifying their parents. Parental rights advocates say this leads to young girls being pressured or coerced to have abortions by those who may not have the mother’s or the unborn child’s best interest in mind.
In cases where minors have abusive parents, the proposed law allows girls to bypass the parental notification law by appealing to a judge.
Related web sites:
Alaskans for Parental Rights – https://www.alaskansforparentalrights.org
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