We have no compunction about criticizing the Rev. Jerry Falwell or the Rev. Pat Robertson, but no one says anything about the Conference of Catholic Bishops. A practicing Catholic, Kissling called on religious leadership from higher up in denominational organizations to take a stand. Without the voices from the top levels speaking out, she said, the message will not have the sufficient power. The recent revelation that priests in Africa were raping nuns and then demanding that they seek abortions at Catholic health care institutions was but one more example of the worldwide suffering women face in the name of religion, she said. She suggested that other mainstream denominations looked the other way at the abuses of the Catholic Church.
Religious leaders have a way of holding legislators accountable.
We should have a place at the table. Smeal responded that while she would welcome the involvement, there might be some resistance to a religious presence at such programs, given the patriarchal nature of mainstream faith traditions. With the stakes so high, speakers agreed that all groups must work together to insure that abortion remains legal. Copyright 2000 Women's Enews. Women's Enews subscribers may select whether to receive a daily email or a weekly summary.