OneNewsNow reported Wednesday that a Catholic Charities staffer signed a 16-year-old girl's parental consent form obtain an abortion in Virginia. By Friday, the A.P. news wire reported that Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney (prosecutor) Michael Herring had absolved the staffer of criminal liability.
Questionable abortion involves Catholic group
by Rusty Pugh OneNewsNow
Virginia's Commonwealth Catholic Charities is under investigation for allegedly helping a 16-year-old Guatemalan immigrant obtain an abortion. Michael Herring, the Commonwealth's Attorney for Richmond, Virginia, agreed to investigate the charities involvement after American Life League (ALL) demanded action.
According to press reports, both the Diocese of Richmond and Bishop Francis DiLorenzo had prior knowledge of the abortion, which happened January 18, 2008. But diocesan statements say that Bishop DiLorenzo was erroneously told there was nothing he could do to intervene.
Four employees of Catholic Charities were fired in March for their involvement. Bishop DiLorenzo informed his fellow bishops of the abortion on April 29 and the Wanderer, a national Catholic publication, broke the story June 13.
Judie Brown of The American Life League says this investigation is an excellent first step, but wonders why details are just now being made public -- almost seven months later. She says the ALL will continue to pressure Herring to investigate the alleged criminal acts that involved the provision of contraception and an abortion to a minor.
"We can't believe the antipathy of the Commonwealth District Attorney, but we have no desire whatsoever to take the pressure off of him. It is his responsibility to defend the law and to investigate these crimes," says Brown.
While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is investigating whether any federal crimes occurred, the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney is investigating whether the Catholic Charities employee who signed the girl's parental consent form violated state law.
Catholic Charities staffer won't be charged in child's abortion
Associated Press
A Catholic Charities staffer in Virginia who signed a consent form allowing a 16-year-old Guatemalan foster child to get an abortion won't face prosecution.
Richmond-based Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Herring says there was no criminal intent because the Catholic Charities staffer and others on her team believed they had the legal authority to sign the abortion consent form. Herring said workers believed the procedure was allowed after the Office of Refugee Resettlement denied funding for the abortion, but did not direct staffers away from the procedure.
The Catholic charity cares for refugee children with support from the office. Richmond Bishop Francis DiLorenzo has apologized for lapses that led to the abortion.
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