Letter to New York Times regarding Partial Birth Abortion
By Father Brendan Williams
November 29, 1995
The Op-Ed Editor
New York Times Company
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036-3959
Subject: Response to "Giving Up My Baby" by Coreen Costello: Op-Ed 11/29/95
Dear Editors,
Your Op-Ed article, "Giving Up My Baby" by Coreen Costello
(11/29/95), with the sidebar, "When a late-term abortion is the
only option", both saddened and angered me. I am saddened because
the Coreen Costello's of our country
are still being subjected to the myth that abortion is the only option
in some troubled pregnancies. I am angered that the New York Times would
propagate this myth before the general public. The author's description
of the destruction of her innocent daughter's life in terms such as
"safest, gentlest, most compassionate", is a chilling reminder
of how far euphemistic language is being pushed to shroud the reality
of abortion today.
Almost thirty years ago I heard gynecologist, Dr. Joseph Riggs, Jr.,
from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden New Jersey, state categorically
at a pro-life seminar that there was no situation in modern medical
science where abortion was necessary to save the mother's life. I took
Dr. Riggs at his word but little did I know
that I would be putting his words to the test in the not too distant
future.
In May of 1970 Tony and Cathy Amico came to me with a serious problem. Their doctor had told them that abortion was the only way to save Cathy's life. She was in her third pregnancy and had developed serious kidney problems. Her doctor told her that trying to carry the pregnancy to full term would be fatal to her and the baby. Cathy left his office numbed. His words kept repeating in her head, "You may not make it, go home and think about it".
Tony and Cathy were devout Catholics for whom abortion would be unthinkable.
Now their convictions (and mine) would be seriously challenged and put
to the test. How could this couple seriously consider something that
was repugnant to them? How could I look Cathy straight in the face and
say to her that she cannot choose the death of her child as a means
of saving her own life? I was shocked and stunned
by this grave dilemma and wondered how I could help them. Then the words
of Dr. Riggs came back to me: it was time to put his statement to the
test. I arranged an appointment for Tony and Cathy with him and within
three hours of our appointment he was giving Cathy a complete examination.
As they left the emergency room, Dr. Riggs assured his newest patient
with a smile, "You're going to be ok, go home, take the medication
and get some rest."
As a result of his expert care, mother and child progressed steadily.
On Sunday morning,
January 24, 1971 Cathy gave birth to Michael, an 8 lb. 2oz. baby boy.
I received a call form Tony that morning at my new assignment in Trenton,
NJ. "You had to be one of the first to hear the good news",
he said. "Mother and child are in wonderful health. Thank God for
Dr. Riggs."
This past May, Michael and I met for the first time. He is now a college
graduate and looking forward with enthusiasm and excitement to what
life has to offer him. Our meeting was a most rewarding and joyful experience
that generated sentiments
of thankfulness to God for the gift of life, and to the Dr. Riggs's
of the world who are dedicated to its care and protection.
I grieve for the mothers who are still being submitted to the heart-wrenching decision of choosing their own lives over those of the children in their wombs. I pray for the doctors who are feeding them the lie that this is their only alternative. I wonder how many Michaels have needlessly been denied life in today's culture of death, which continues to distort and deny the truth.
Your editorial sidebar would be much more accurate and honest if it had read: "When a late-term abortion is the only option offered by your doctors", to which I would add: "Get a second opinion from pro-life experts". With this Michael Amico wholeheartedly agrees.
Sincerely,
Rev. Brendan Williams
Pastor
Liaison to the Charismatic Movement, Diocese of Trenton, NJ