Frances Kissling Celebrates Democrat Platform as "Slap in the Face" to Pro-Life Catholics

(Hat tip: Brian Burch at Fidelis)

Contrary to the assertions of folks like Prof. Kmiec that the new abortion language in the 2008 Democrat platform is taking “steps toward honoring life”, abortion supporters like Frances Kissling, former head of Catholics for a Free Choice, clearly recognize the new platform language as actually strengthening the party's pro-abortion stance:

... Not only is the new platform stronger in its support for the right to choose abortion, it embraces the concept of reproductive justice including not only family planning but comprehensive sexuality education. If, in fact, these folks had anything to do with this new plank, they did those of us who are pro-choice a big favor.

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All in all, the Platform comes very close to embracing the full reproductive health agenda that has been consistently advocated by the pro-choice, progressive women's movement.

So why, you might ask, are “pro-life” progressives (PP'ers) claiming victory in this Platform?

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Doug Kmiec, an antiabortion Republican Catholic who has endorsed Obama, noted that “The Platform still falls short of the Catholic ideal.” Falls short! It is a slap in the face to Kmiec’s Catholic ideal, which includes not only no abortion but no birth control even for married couples, and abstinence-only sexuality curricula. The Platform also makes an oblique reference to condoms as a means of preventing the transmission of HIV and AIDS, which the Catholic Church still rejects.

[More]

(emphasis added)


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Fidelis on "Platform Honesty"

More Dem Platform News: Party to Officially Oppose Defense of Marriage Act

Doug Kmiec Claims Democrats Making "Steps Toward Honoring Life" in Platform [UPDATED]