By John Jalsevac
TAYLORS, S.C., June 11, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a talk to the National Catholic Men's Conference this past weekend, Senator Sam Brownback criticized the commonly held notion that abortion should always be allowed in cases of rape, reports the Associated Press.
"Rape is terrible. Rape is awful," Brownback said to the approximately 500 conference attendees, but then asked, "Is it made any better by killing an innocent child? Does it solve the problem for the mother that's been raped?"
"We need to protect innocent life. Period."
The June 9th conference was hosted by St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers. The president of the conference, Steve Wood, in introducing Senator Brownback criticized politicians who call themselves Catholic, but who in their public life repudiate fundamental Catholic teachings, specifically on abortion.
"I don't know about you," said Wood, "but this stuff by many Catholic politicians who say, 'I'm personally opposed, but.' But what? You should have the integrity to be consistent in both personal and public life."
Brownback, a 2008 presidential hopeful for the GOP, is one of the few politicians who are willing to publicly state a position against making an exception for abortion in the emotionally charged case of women who are victims of rape. Even President Bush, who is self-described as "pro-life," reportedly favors exceptions to abortion laws in three cases, generally assumed to be rape, incest, and the life of the mother.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Abortion in Cases of Rape: Why Not Kill the Guilty Rapist Before the Innocent Child
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06082506.html
President Bush Supports Abortion in Cases of Rape and Incest Says Official Spokesman
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06022809.html
Interview with U.S. Presidential Candidate Sam Brownback: Unequivocally Pro-Life, Passionately Pro-Family
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jan/07012601.html
--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"
