USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Decline in Number of Abortion Facilities Hailed

Decline in Number of Abortion Facilities Hailed

WASHINGTON (December 10, 1998)-- An official of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops today welcomed the news of a substantial decline in the number of facilities performing abortions in the United States.

Helen Alvare of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities was responding to a study being released by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a research affiliate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The study showed a 14% decline in the number of abortion facilities in the United States between 1992 and 1996.

"This is more good news about Americans' increasing disaffection with abortion, coming as it does on the heels of other reports showing declines in the numbers and rate of abortions in the United States," said Ms. Alvare. "This should be welcomed by all who believe that there are just too many abortions in our country, including those who favor legal abortion but claim that it ought to be 'rare.'"

While the study did not identify with certainty the reasons for the decline, it noted that one reason might be the declining rate of "unintended pregnancy" among teenagers. Ms. Alvare added, "Other studies show that rates of teenage sexual involvement are also dropping, and fewer young people are adopting pro-abortion positions."

"At this time in the life of our country, abortion remains legal," Ms. Alvare said. "But the public's level of distress is growing not only with abortion itself, but with the non-marital sexual relationships that lead to most abortions. Now more than ever, those who offer alternatives to abortion and alternatives to the idea of casual sex, should step forward with new confidence. People are ready to listen."