https://youtu.be/v44H68dGOo8?si=Q7PnCw7j4V0siGhO
Amendment 4 has been receiving considerable attention in the media and many Florida Catholic schools because its purpose is to allow abortion procedures past the sixth week of pregnancy, currently the allowable time in the state. Proponents believe six weeks is too narrow a distinction whereas opponents believe there should be no abortion at all, and given that the state already permits abortion up until the sixth week of pregnancy, that is more than enough.
In terms of viability outside the womb, a baby born premature and treated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, can survive. For instance, Ms. Marla Pitaluga, RN, a nurse at the Jackson Memorial Hospital NICU, has cared for many preemies who have survived an early birth.
“I have witnessed a baby who was only 22 weeks old recover,” she said.
Amendment 4 proponents state that no matter the political party or religious affiliation, no one should have the right to intrude in private medical decisions. Right now, as indicated, abortion in Florida is illegal after the six week mark, which many Amendment 4 proponents say is before many women even realize they are pregnant. These Amendment 4 supporters argue that certain people may not be ready to have a child, or, in some situations, fear the child will not survive owing to having potentially life-threatening, pre-existing conditions. To save pregnant women a great deal of pain and suffering, they say it’s best to keep abortion legal well beyond six weeks. Though this may sound reasonable in the eyes of some, for those of us who are Catholics, it is not so simple.
“I pray that our people continue to respect the right of the child even in the womb as well the dignity of the mother. Even though we are being brainwashed through all media that abortion is a right for women, we need to vote NO! on Amendment 4 because each child is a gift of from God. We believe that life begins at conception. Each child is a blessing to humanity,” explained Sister Teresa Gutierrez, FMA.
In the eyes of the Catholic Church, every human being matters. As such, all Catholics should vote no on Amendment 4. God created human beings in his own image and likeness and this includes even those who haven’t been born yet. Moreover, Catholics and others who are against Amendment 4, believe themselves to be protecting not only the unborn child, but also the mother from the dangers of abortion, as it is a medical procedure, and like all medical procedures, has inherent risks.
“Vitality means that the baby depends on the mother. Having an abortion allowed even up to the ninth month of pregnancy is not only dangerous for the mom, but it also ends the life of a child who could have been lovingly raised by someone else,” said Theology teacher Ms. Ana Gonzalez-Roman.
