Prevent unwanted babies
Several busloads of Fayette Countians are on their way this morning to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life. On this the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court landmark case Roe v. Wade, the tide seems to be turning in favor of the pro-life movement. The president is on their side and with expected retirements on the Supreme Court, there is hope that justices who favor their position will eventually rise and overturn abortion-on-demand.
There are many local residents who make the annual trek to Washington, D.C. to express their belief that all life is sacred, and that no one but God has the power to cut a life short, even troubled women who lack the financial, emotional and community support needed to make an unwanted child, wanted.
Our readership, by a vast majority, considers itself pro-life and is quick to condemn abortion and eager to march for life or link hands annually in chain of life demonstrations.
Yet, this does very little to solve the underlying problem. Too many teens are still becoming pregnant. Fayette County has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Pennsylvania. Abortions in 2001, the latest year statistics are available through the state Health Department, show that 215 Fayette women opted to end their pregnancies. This is a 16.2 percent jump from the year before.
In neighboring Greene County, abortions rose 23.5 percent.
Yet births to teens were on the rise: 212 Fayette girls and 63 Greene teens became mothers in 2001.
This is sad, disturbing news that should be spread from the pulpits of all our churches. Those who value life should reflect on their mission. Is it one to simply overturn a law?
Annual protests in the nation’s capitol are fine, but much work needs to be done at home on a daily basis to effectuate change.
The challenge for Fayette’s churches, schools and parents is to recognize that preventing teen pregnancies is the key to lowering the number of abortions.