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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
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An encouraging sign
Bush era opens with a pro-life move
In a message of congratulations to the newly inaugurated US President George W. Bush, Pope John Paul II called for the establishment of a “solid ethical base” for American government. The Pontiff’s message, conveyed to President Bush to coincide with his inauguration on January 20, urged the new American leader to draw upon the “rich political and religious heritage” of the United States in order to “build a society marked by true justice and freedom.” That society, he continued, should respect “the dignity and the rights of every individual, especially the poor, the defenseless, and those who have been reduced to silence.”
President Bush gladdened the Pontiff —and countless pro-life activists—with one of his first official moves: an executive order ending federal funding for international population control groups that provide or advocate abortion. Bush’s order countermanded an order that had been issued by former President Bill Clinton in one of the first official acts of his own administration.
The order came as hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers marched in Washington to mark the 28th anniversary of the US Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that paved the way for legalized abortion on demand. Demonstrators said they were buoyed by the new presidential administration in their hopes for a change in abortion policy in the US.
White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card encouraged such optimism when he said that the White House would take a careful new look at government policies on several abortion-related issues. He mentioned specifically the recent federal approval of the RU-486 abortion drug. Card said, “We’re going to take a look at all of the regulations. We’re going to take a look at all the executive orders.”
Pro-lifers also held out hope that Bush would appoint federal judges and Supreme Court justices who are pro-life. Just one appointment could tip the balance, with many decisions now being made on 5-4 votes. Any nominee, however, would have to be approved by a Senate that is equally divided along partisan lines. And pro-abortion forces in the Senate sent an emphatic message to President Bush by putting the President’s nominee to serve as Attorney General, former Senator John Ashcroft, through a grueling and acrimonious set of committee hearings before finally approving his appointment.