Reader: Fetuses-aren't-people court case makes mockery of Right to Life views

Melanie Asmar's "The Meaning of Life" feature explores the contradictions of a Catholic hospital defending a lawsuit by arguing that a fetus isn't a person. On a follow-up blog post about bishops reviewing the hospital's legal approach, a reader from outside Colorado weighs in about the far-reaching impact the case...

By Michael Roberts

January 31, 2013

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Melanie Asmar's "The Meaning of Life" feature explores the contradictions of a Catholic hospital defending a lawsuit by arguing that a fetus isn't a person. On a follow-up blog post about bishops reviewing the hospital's legal approach, a reader from outside Colorado weighs in about the far-reaching impact the case could have.

janisgartner writes:

I came across this information in a local newspaper in ND and was very disappointed that an institution that claims to be part of a Catholic Health Care system would make a statement that a fetus is not a person. I work in a Catholic Health Hospital and we see posted thought about the mission and this definitely is not what it says and what is stated to us. As Catholic,I have been raised to respect life from time of conception till end of natural life. St. Thomas Hospital made a mistake in the care of these 7 months old fetuses and now is not accepting the responsibility for their mistake. Does the Catholic Church change their teaching based on financial issues vs moral issues? The news media will have a heyday with this issue if not resolved according to the Church's teachings. I just watched 2 different Masses this last week in Washington, D.C. during the Right to Life week. This situation in Canon City, Colorado makes a mockery of what the Right to Life organization is striving to protect the unborn of this country.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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