Letter from Cardinal Rigali to Congress on Abstinence Education (2007)

Letter from Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities to Congress on Abstinence Education, May 9, 2007

Cardinal Rigali urges Congress to continue funding abstinence-until-marriage education programs in the FY2008 federal budget.

He argues that abstinence education provides a positive alternative to programs that accept premarital sexual activity. These programs help youth develop character and make responsible, healthy choices.

While acknowledging some criticism, the Cardinal emphasizes studies showing benefits of abstinence education. He argues that programs focusing on contraception do not reliably reduce unintended pregnancies or abortion rates.

Federal funding for abstinence programs was about $178 million in FY2006, described as relatively modest. Far more government funding goes to “safe sex” or contraceptive-based education.

Cardinal-Rigali-Letter-on-Abstinence-Education-Funding-2007.pdf