The South Dakota Catholic Conference supports the passage of SB 183, a bill that would void certain contracts that require a woman to undergo an abortion. Some contracts in South Dakota, such as ones whereby a woman agrees to become pregnant and bear a child for some other person or persons in exchange for payment, often contain provisions that would grant these persons the right to compel the woman to abort a child or children in utero. If she refuses, under such contractual provisions, she is obligated to repay all financial benefits she has already received, and may also be liable for civil damage. The Church teaches that human persons should never be commodified. It is particularly troubling that a person’s right to life itself is made the subject of contractual provisions. The right to life, from the moment of conception, is a gift from God that should be safeguarded and protected in law.
Categories: 2021 Session
