Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990 TAG: 9007090256
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I'm not sure God pays any attention to what some of these bishops say anyway," said Del. Warren G. Stambaugh, D-Arlington and one of 13 Roman Catholics in the 140-member General Assembly.
Cardinal John O'Connor said last month that "bishops may consider excommunication the only option" with legislators who persist in "helping to multiply abortions by advocating legislation supporting abortion, or by making public funds available for abortion."
Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of the Diocese of Richmond said he disagrees with O'Connor.
"I just feel that that approach is counterproductive," he said. "The issue goes from abortion to interfering in a free society . . . I just think we have to change hearts rather than trying to change laws."
Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, said he feels little pressure to toe the church line.
"I, personally, because of my upbringing, am pro-life," Tata said. However, he said he supports current laws allowing women to choose abortion unless the Supreme Court rules clearly in another direction. "I respect the woman's right to do what she wants," he said.
Del. Mitchell Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, is another Catholic lawmaker who favors abortion rights. Van Yahres said O'Connor's statements caused him some painful moments.
"When a cardinal says something like that, obviously a good, practicing Catholic has to think," Van Yahres said.
But his soul-searching still ends the same way it has for years, he said. Van Yahres is against abortion, personally, but said he could no more force that "religious belief" on others than translate into law the Catholic teaching that church must be attended every Sunday.
"The belief that life begins at conception is a personal religious belief, and I don't think I can put my beliefs on my constituents," said Van Yahres. "I don't think government has a right to step in and dictate that religious issue."
Del. A. Victor Thomas, D-Roanoke, said he opposes "abortion on demand" and would like greater restrictions. But in 16 years as a legislator, he said, he has never thought of the issue as dictated by his religion.
"I'm a Catholic, but I think if I were a Baptist or a Methodist, I'd be the same," Thomas said. "I don't know what my church has to do with this. I really hadn't thought about it in that way."
Del. Ed Eck, D-Richmond, said that if the church chooses to excommunicate him on the issue, "then I guess I will have to be excommunicated."
Eck said he arrived at an abortion-rights position after deep wrestling with his own conscience. He said he does not accept church teaching that life begins at conception.
"I guess one of the great mysteries of life is, `At what point does what is originally conceived become a soul and a human being?' " Eck said.
Sen. Emilie F. Miller, D-Fairfax and a Catholic, said she worries that other Roman Catholics will be discouraged from running for office because of statements such as O'Connor's. She said she is personally against abortion but would not impose her belief on other women.
Seven other Catholic legislators could not be reached for comment.
by CNB