We will help any pregnant woman, says cardinal

Any pregnant woman – regardless of her faith, marriage or immigration status – can ask Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York for help.

He emphasised his willingness to help after New York State’s Reproductive Health Act 2019 legalised abortions for any reason up to birth.

The public outcry after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the new law included calls for Dolan to excommunicate Cuomo who claims to be Catholic.

Rather than the current “almost pro-abortion atmosphere out there,” Dolan is emphasising the Church’s willingness to help expectant mothers.

He says support is available to help pregnant women choose life for their unborn babies.

“Any woman feeling a difficult pregnancy and tempted to have an abortion is assured of a warm welcome, encouragement and loving support.

“Any pregnant woman can come to this Archdiocese of New York.

“We will do all in our power to assist you, to welcome you so that you never have to feel that you have no alternative except abortion.”

Dolan says sometimes the Catholic Church needs “to trumpet and put a spotlight on” the good work it does.

“Most of us bristle when the church is criticised for speaking all the time but not offering action. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Dolan says he worries poor women especially are getting the impression abortion is their only choice.

“This is a very teachable time [immediately following the new legislation] for us to stand up and say, ‘We’re here. We love you. We welcome you. There is an alternative here and we’d be honored to serve you.'”

Many pro-lifers – who are people of all faiths – have felt discouraged since Cuomo signed the law, Dolan says.

Since it was signed in January, several other states have seen similar late-term abortion bills.

“Abortion has been very much in the news lately,” Dolan says.

“And it sometimes seems as if each day brings with it a further attack on the rights and dignity on all human life, especially the life of the most innocent and powerless among us — the baby waiting to be born.

“No matter the hurt, the frustration or even anger we may feel at the passage of the recent abortion expansion bill, we should not respond with bitterness or divisions, but put our faith and trust in the Lord and reach out with love to troubled moms and their expectant babies.”

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