The Catholic Vote

To the Editors,
The New Yorker
from Martina NIcholson, MD

In reading Peter Boyer's article, I believe it would be helpful for people trying to discern what many Catholic voters are hoping for, to consider that for more than 40 years we have been undergoing the social change wrought by more and more effective contraception. Catholics have been statistically using family planning to the same extent that other groups do. "A consistent ethic of life" which makes a woman have the right and obligation to choose life, but not have that right preempted by the legal system, fits most women within the faith. Humane Vitae was a great cry for the protection of marriage and family life; but many pastors and theologians feel the refusal to accept contraception was a strategic error which will ultimately need to be rectified.
Catholics have been taught that relationality, (as in the relationship between Jesus and Abba, the father), is the most important criteria for ethical discernment, and that the great gift of the cross was the forgiveness of sins. Marriage and family, and child-rearing needs to be supported. Peter Boyer seems to miss the main point, which is to reduce the number of abortions by providing adequate contraception, family planning counseling, better resources for women in crisis pregnancies, and truly compassionate care for all women of reproductive age. Reproduction is only one of the many gifts we have been given, and we are called to balance all our gifts as stewards of God's creation.
Sincerely,
Martina Nicholson, MD