Bishops' Committee Launches Roe V. Wade "Reality Checks"
WASHINGTON (March 14, 2005)— The Committee for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a new effort to dispel myths about Roe v. Wade. This is the Supreme Court decision that created a constitutional right to abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Brief, informational cards called "Roe Reality Checks" will be distributed regularly to members of Congress and the media, each highlighting a basic fact about Roe v. Wade or its impact.
"While abortion has been legal in the United States for over three decades, many Americans don't know basic facts, such as when in pregnancy abortions are legal or why they are generally performed," said Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Esq., Director of Planning and Information for the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. "The fact is, Roe v. Wade created an unlimited right to abortion, and most people think an unlimited right to abortion is wrong."
The misinformation about Roe v. Wade was recently highlighted by a Harris poll describing Roe as "the U.S. Supreme Court decision making abortions up to three months of pregnancy legal." Even with this substantial error, the poll showed Americans supporting Roe v. Wade by just 52 percent, with 47% opposed.
The Roe Reality Checks are part of a broader educational campaign by the Pro-Life Committee called The Second Look Project, which presents basic factual information about abortion so people can take a second look at the issue. "Opinions on abortion are often based on mistaken perceptions or on emotions. The Second Look Project is innovative because it provides basic facts, and lets the facts speak for themselves," said Ruse.
To view Roe Reality Check #1 visit www.secondlookproject.org.