Signing the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

November 5, 2003

The Honorable George W. Bush

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Bush,

On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and of millions of Catholics nationwide, I write to express our deep gratitude to you for signing into law a ban on one of the gravest human rights violations in recent times—partial-birth abortion.

Partial-birth abortion is an inhumane and unjust death sentence on human children. It is also an abhorrent procedure that the American people firmly and overwhelmingly reject.

For 30 years, since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in its Roe v. Wade decision, unborn children could legally be killed at any time during a pregnancy, for any reason and by any method. Your signing of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act marks the first time since that decision that our nation has acted to stop any abortion procedure. This is surely an historic step.

Pope John Paul II has called on our country to be true to its own highest ideals, to reject abortion and instead dedicate itself to building a Culture of Life. Enactment of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act is an important step towards this goal.

Mr. President, please know that you have our deep appreciation, as well as our continued prayers and support in moving toward the shared goal of building a culture that protects, nurtures and sustains human life. Surely God, who creates and blesses all human life, will hear our prayers, and sustain and guide us in this noble work.

With prayerful best wishes for you and your family, I am

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory

Bishop of Belleville

President