Why am I pro-choice?
Because faced with a pregnancy scare at 19, I knew that I had to have an abortion. As soon as possible or my life would be a wreck.
All those years of Catholic doctrine and teaching went right out the window when my own ass was on the line.
Thankfully, I was not pregnant. But that experience taught me a lot. I was in the other person's shoes.
Been an ex-catholic and very pro-choice ever since.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I was raised Catholic, and got pregnant at 19. Faced with a difficult decision, it would have been heart-breaking either way. Long story short, I decided not to get an abortion, and got married instead. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, but I recognize that it could have just as easily gone the other way.
Every woman has to decide for herself whether she is ready to be a mother, or if she even wants motherhood. It should never be forced, because the results will be terrible for the mother and child. A woman needs to know that a safe, private abortion is available to her if the need arises. I believe that adoption can be suggested and considered, but never pushed, on the single pregnant woman. It must be her decision and hers alone.
... she's dedicating the next 20 or so years of her life to nurturing and caring for that child. Not every woman understands this or is ready to make the decision at 19 (or whatever) years of age. In my case as I told my story above, I had to quit my college early and I never did get the chance for a degree. But my husband didn't have to sacrifice his education. When we got married I was 19 and he was 21 with still one year to finish his degree.
There are many trade-offs and future benefits when a woman decides on motherhood. However the sacrifices cannot be avoided or abrogated. Giving up my chance for a college degree has affected my earning capacity for the balance of my working life.
What bothers me about the religious fundamentalists (and the Catholic Church) is how do they think legislation of abortion would ever improve the quality of motherhood? It's such a personal and individual decision to make.
... but sadly it seems to have ended up exactly the way you say.
The type of men who are attracted to the life of priesthood are unfortunately likely to have that tendency. The Church wasn't careful enough to weed those men out when they had the chance (i.e. during their seminary years.) It's a sad situation because the Cardinals who are making decisions now are protecting their own careers and also the predators. I believe this will change though because it has to.
If women were allowed into the priesthood, we'd see so many changes in so many areas.
