Aatholic Archbishop of Portland Alexander Sample has released a statement on HB 2002 which is pending before the Oregon Legislature. The bill has several parts -- many controversial -- but one of the most controversial is that the bill, according to the Legislative Policy and Research Office, "modifies provisions protecting privacy of minor's reproductive health care information and permitted disclosure of information to minor's parent or legal guardian."

Archbishop Sample's statement outlines five major points.

• First, it completely undermines parental authority to exercise responsibility and care for children at a time when youngsters most need parental guidance and concern.
  • It severs the relationship of trust and transparency that should exist between parents and their children.
  • It targets minor children while their bodies and minds are still developing and encourages them to seek treatments and procedures that have irrevocable results for which they may be completely unprepared.
  • It advocates for “gender affirming” care for individuals of all ages.
• Second, it promotes the taking of innocent human life through mandated access to medication abortions.
• Third, it expands abortion on demand and “gender affirming” care into rural areas and college campuses.
• Fourth, it forces insurers, medical and mental health professionals, educators, and many others to participate in providing medical procedures in which they may not believe, all at taxpayer expense. There is no meaningful religious exemption in this legislation.
• Finally, it is completely unnecessary since children fifteen and older already have the access sought by this legislation. It is unclear what purpose is served by offering children from ages one to fifteen the ability to seek abortion and gender-affirming treatment without their parents’ consent.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The bill has passed the Oregon House by a vote of 36-23, but has stalled in the inactive Oregon Senate, due to the Republican walkout.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-06-02 19:35:22

Last Update: 2023-06-10 18:00:36