Now that attention is finally on the ‘Born Alive Infants Act’…

…it has shifted from the critical ‘Freedom of Choice Act’, which was little-known to begin with. They are both vitally important to understand, while there’s still a choice.

The head of pro-life outreach for the nation’s Catholic bishops has sent a letter to members of Congress warning them about a bill that could be the most extreme measure on abortion ever introduced. The so-called Freedom of Choice Act would make unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy the national law.

But, the measure would go further and undo the abortion limits put in place in all 50 states since Roe v. Wade that have helped reduce abortions to record lows.

It would invalidate laws ranging from bans on partial-birth abortions to implementing parental involvement for teenagers to prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortions.

As the article states, the deceptively named act is the first thing Barack Obama promised to sign into law if elected.

Cardinal Justin Rigali sent the letter to Congress on Friday and warned against enactment of the proposed bill (S. 1173, H.R. 1964).

“Despite its deceptive title,” he wrote, “FOCA would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.”

He added: “FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. And FOCA would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government to reduce abortions in our country.”

This is yet another strong and clear move by a U.S. bishop to bring moral and religiously informed voices into the public square. And they’re bringing brisk clarity to otherwise muddled or confused debate in the elections over moral issues.

“Members of both parties have sought to reach a consensus on ways to reduce abortions in our society,” the Catholic leader concluded. “However, there is one thing absolutely everyone should be able to agree on: We can’t reduce abortions by promoting abortion…. No one who sponsors or supports legislation like FOCA can credibly claim to be part of a good-faith discussion on how to reduce abortions.”