CHRISTIAN SENSE
BY TOM SMIKOSKI
A publication devoted to making sense out of the twenty-first century.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN vs
CARDINAL GEORGE
By: TOM SMIKOSKI
The National Organization of Women was outraged when Cardinal George drew a distinction between moral monsters like Fr. Geoghan accused of raping dozens of young boys--and a priest "who, under the influence of alcohol, engages in an action with a 17 or 16-year-old young woman who returns his affections". They insist that sex with underage girls is a crime and should be punished accordingly. They say these girls are to young to know any better.
I agree with the Cardinal that there is a big difference between the two sets of circumstances outlined by him. Yet for once I agree with something said by the National Organization of Women. Sex with underage girls is a crime and should be prosecuted. Yet "statutory rape" is taking place everyday as evidenced by the number of abortions performed on underage girls. Most as the result of sex with an adult. Yet, these crimes are going unpunished.
If the National Organization of Women is sincere in its concern for these young ladies, then they should fight to change the abortion laws which allow underage children to have "no questions asked" abortions without parental notification. Instead of encouraging abortions, we should encourage them to seek counseling and cooperate with police in determining who is responsible. Responsible adults should be prosecuted, regardless of profession (priests included).
Yet, I seriously doubt that the National Organization of Women will change their stance on a girls right to have sex and an abortion. For them, sex by underage girls is permitted and even somewhat encouraged through the handing out of condoms in school. NOW has always said that even teens are old enough to choose for themselves whether or not they want to have sex, or an abortion. NOW has always argued that young girls have this right regardless of the moral beliefs of their parents. That is, except if the sex is with a Catholic Priest.
Tom Smikoski
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