Ya think some Planned Parenthood fans might have wished that report didn’t make it out this week? The ones involved in Fitchburg likely do:
Local city and religious leaders this week reacted to a report issued by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which criticizes the approach the Catholic Church and Islam take to sexuality, and states that children as young as 10 are “sexual beings.”
Suddenly Massachusetts planned parenthood doesn’t know these people:
Jesse Mermell, vice president of External Affairs for the organization, on Thursday said she is not familiar with the report, and that the International Planned Parenthood Federation is a “completely different organization, of which we happen to be a member.”
Mermell said the connection between the Massachusetts league and the international organization is weak.
It has elicited some comment from the city counsel:
Ward 4 Councilor Kevin Starr said though he hadn’t read the report, he took issue with Planned Parenthood’s apparent criticism of religious groups.
“You need to respect the beliefs of the people in this city. There’s a lot of Catholics in this city,” Starr said.
Planned Parenthood would do well to keep quiet about different religions, given all the controversy that surrounds the organization, said Ward 5 Councilor Joseph Solomito, who had not read the report.
“You have a right to do it. Just do it quietly. Don’t put it in people’s faces,” said Solomito.
Still, the report doesn’t change his belief that Planned Parenthood has a right to come to Fitchburg, and the City Council should not oppose the organization.
Hey Joe if that doesn’t change your belief what will? I suspect that if you were as familiar with their history as Rosemary Reynolds was you still wouldn’t change you mind.
Councilor-at-large Rosemary Reynolds, who is pro life and has adamantly opposed Planned Parenthood, said she doubts the City Council is familiar with all aspects of Planned Parenthood.
“They’re not really upfront about it, and you have to go digging,” Reynolds said.
It’s must easier to keep oneself ignorant when you want to duck a tough call. It takes a special kind of courage to see what is in front of you and say it. Rosemary has that courage.
Tuesday’s meeting should be quite interesting.
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