Kansas bishops laud effort to uncover child rape by abortion records

Published: 2005-03-02

MERRIAM, Kan. (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of Kansas have welcomed an effort by the state's attorney general to investigate records of two abortion clinics for possible discovery and prosecution of criminal sexual acts against minors. The abortion clinics have appealed a court order to turn over certain records on patients that might provide evidence of sex crimes against girls under 16 or violations of legal limitations on late-term abortions. "Sex crimes against children must not be shielded and hidden," the bishops said in a joint statement issued Feb. 28 by the Kansas Catholic Conference in Merriam, which is outside Kansas City. "Privacy rights should never be used to shield those who molest children from investigation by government authorities," the bishops said. "To use the mantras of choice and privacy as a means to block the investigation of child rape is an unconscionable act." The bishops called on the abortion industry to report to appropriate government authorities whenever there is evidence that a minor under the age of 16 has been impregnated.

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