orld& nation Supreme Court nominee scrutinized over abortion By Liz Schevtchuk cept the concept of a "wrongful birth" of a Catholic News Service child. In so doing, he and other judges rul­ WASHINGTON - Take it from the ed that doctors should test for birth defects president himself: Passing ah abortion and inform pregnant women of the results, "litmus test" was not a requirement for his allowing them to decide whether to abort Supreme Court nominee. deformed fetuses. But that doesn't mean some activists on ' 'When parents are denied the opportune both sides of the abortion issue wouldn't ty to make this decision" about giving bir­ like to see the results of such a test. th to a deformed child ' 'important personal Soon after President George Bush nomi­ interests may be impaired, including ... nated Judge David H. Souter for the personal autonomy, which may include the Supreme Court, determining where the making of informed reproductive jurist stands on abortion became the best choices," the New Hampshire court said. guessing game in Washington, with In a concurring opinion, Souter discuss­ uneasiness in both anti-abortion and pro- ed the hypothetical plight of an anti- abortion camps. abortion physician whose pregnant patient According to Bush, who tapped Souter is carrying a deformed fetus and might July 23 to fill the vacancy left by the want an abortion. retirement of Justice William J. Brennan, A "timely disclosure of (the physician's) AP/Wide World Photos "it is not appropriate in choosing a professional limits based on religious or Supreme Court nominee David Souter, right, talks to Vice President Dan Supreme Court justice to use any litmus moral scruples, combined with timely re­ Quayle during a July 27 visit to the White House. test." ferral to other physicians who are not so ly wrong while other judges believe they larly, his letter opposing a judicial role in Bush emphasized repeatedly that he did constrained, is a question open for con­ could not make such a decision for another teenagers' abortions "reveals nothing not know — or ask — Souter's views on sideration in any case in which it may be person. The measure, he said, also would regarding Judge Souter's views on Roe vs. abortion. Appointing a new Supreme Court raised," he wrote. encourage "shopping forjudges," produc­ Wade or... abortion or the legality of abor­ justice is "far broader than mat. I have too One case now awaiting Supreme Court ing inconsistency. tion." much respect for the Supreme Court to action involves rules preventing doctors at , Souter's involvement as a member of die Joseph M. Scheidler, president of the look at one specific issue and one alone.'' federally funded family planning clinics boards of two New Hampshire hospitals Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, Some pro-lifers worry that Bush may from providing abortion counseling or re­ providing abortions also is being scrutiniz­ said a judicial nominee's abortion position have glossed over the abortion issue. ferrals to pregnant patients. Right-to-life ed. Former colleagues at the facilities say "should be a litmus test. "But that doesn't "The red flag went up when George forces vociferously oppose such referrals. they do not remember that Souter ever mean Bush needed to make the litmus test Bush said mere has been no litmus test," Souter is also drawing attention because suggested abortion is wrong. public, he added. said Judie Brown, president of me of a 1981 letter he wrote at the behest of While associated with the hospitals,' 'did "I think Bush knows exactly where American Life Lobby. "I don't know how New Hampshire judges. The letter discuss­ he ever do anything to stop the slaughter," Souter stands on abortion," Scheidler said. many times Republicans think they can ed judges' reactions to proposed state Brown asked. "If not, why?" "I think it's smart" of the president to hoodwink pro-life people, but this is about legislation demanding parental consent to a As a hospital board member, "Souter's downplay the issue, he added. "I don't the last straw." teenager's abortion, unless the minor had role in these pro-abortion policies remains want it to be public." Brown's group is circulating a petition obtained a judge's approval. unclear," the National Right to Life Frances Kissling, president of Catholics questioning Souter's background. "We are Souter wrote that the judges objected Committee said July 26. for a Free Choice, agreed that Bush knows officially withholding support until our because the legislation would allow society The National Right to Life Committee Souter's views on abortion. questions are answered," said Robert "to leave it to individual justices of this also disagreed with the decision in the "I don't believe it was not a litmus test Evangelisto, ALL press spokesman. court to make fundamental moral decisions "wrongful birth" case. for Bush, no matter what he says," Kissl­ Pro-lifers cite three concerns about about the interests of other people" Yet, the group added, the ruling ing remarked. But once Souter's judicial Souter. without any standards to guide them. "reveals nothing regarding Judge Souter's philosophies were apparent, for Bush "it The first is his vote with the majority of He said some judges believe abortion views on whether Roe vs. Wade is a correct was real easy not to have to ask" the New Hampshire Supreme Court to ac­ under such circumstances would be moral- interpretation of the Constitution." Simi­ specifically about abortion, she said. Muslim rebels seize hostages during attempted coup in Trinidad PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CNS) - appeared to be losing patience. Muslim rebels and thick clouds of black ordered banks to stay closed. Trinidad's Catholic archbishop was in­ As of early July 30, Archbishop Pantin smoke poured into the sky over the capital, A senior official at Port-of-Spain's main volved in the early stages of negotiations and Anglican Bishop Clive Abdullah of witnesses said. hospital said at least 300 people were with Muslim rebels holding the island- Trinidad were reportedly no longer direct­ Abu Bakr was last reported near the tele­ wounded in the chaos following the coup. state's prime minister and other high- ly involved in the hostage talks. No ex­ vision station. The official confirmed two deaths, al­ ranking hostages after a July 27 coup at­ planation was given. On July 30, sustained automatic weapons tempt. though the Caribbean News Agency has An Anglican priest, Father Nolli Clarke, fire was reported near the station and the reported at least 22 people have been Archbishop Gordon A. Pantin, 60, of was said to be participating in ongoing Parliament building. killed. Port-of-Spain, was quoted on July 29 as efforts at negotiation. Radio Trinidad broadcast appeals urging saying rebel leader Yasin Abu Bakr had Although the rebel group has claimed The Caribbean News Agency on July 29 people at the television station to call them told him Prime Minister Arthur N.R. that Robinson — who was shot in the leg quoted a top police official as saying Abu to tell them what was happening. Robinson and the other hostages had been during the takeover — had agreed to Bakr wanted an aircraft and safe passage to wired with explosives and would be blown Witnesses said the automatic weapons resign, it appeared that the talks were Libya. Trinidad government officials have up if any attempt was made to free them. fire was the most sustained since the coup stalemated. accused Libya of being behind the coup at­ try was launched. "He (Abu Bakr) said he has mem wired tempt. The rebel group has said it acted because up," Archbishop Pantin said in a radio The heavy fire came after a spokesman the government's economic austerity interview after meeting widi the rebel But a rebel spokesman said on the radio: for the rebel group denied that negotiations measures were causing too much suffering. "We are not interested in going to Libya. chieftain. between the insurgents and the government Trinidad and Tobago a twin-island, We are Trinidadians.'' The archbishop called the situation were stalemated. multiracial republic, has leen hit hard by a "grim" and said Abu Bakr and his The same day, artillery fire erupted near Trinidad's government extended a fall in the price of oil, and unemployment followers of the Jamaat Al Muslimee group a state-run television station seized by the curfew from 12 to 18 hours a day and has jumped above 20 percent. Archbishop appointed to head Anglicans LONDON (CNS) — 's new- ward to a continuatio. . n \o f the excellent ly appointed spiritual leader favors further­ working relationship which I have enjoyed ing ecumenical links with the Catholic with (Archbishop) Runciei'' Church and shares Pope John Paul TI's Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of sense of mission toward the environment. Arundel and Brighton, co-chairman of the But he also plans to lead the Church of Anglican-Roman Catholic International England toward ordaining women. Commission, called Bishop Carey "a man The new , 54- of ecumenical vision. •' year-old Bishop of Bath and Archbishop Runcie made a surprise an­ Welfe, England, is to succeed Archbishop nouncement last April that he would step Robert Runcie early next year as head of down at the end of January 1991. the world's nearly 70 million Anglicans. At a press conference on the day his ap­ The announcement of his appointment was pointment was made public, Bishop Carey made July 25 by the office of Prime Min­ told reporters that he wai. ready to back ister . An announcement women's , despie opposition. of Archbishop Runcie's replacement had "The is obviously not been expected until September. one thing that*I hope we will settle as a Reaction from British Catholic leaders church," the bishop said. "I have-always .J Photos was positive. been a supporter of thu ordination of Bishop George Carey (center), named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal George of women to the priesthood. I am well aware with his wife Eileen and the current archbishop, Dr. Robert Runcie. Westminster, England, said, "I look for­ Continued on page 10

Catholic Courier