The Rattler (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 8, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Page: 8 of 16
sixteen pages : ill. ; page 18 x 12 in. Scanned from physical pages.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
8
1 «
and that the fetus did not receive a being around children, because of today's society. Statistics show
Hi
Bending the law: meet the SBA president
providing alumni guest speakers and how
ABORTION FACTS
Panel presents
abortion topics
By CECILIA GARCIA
STAFF WRITER
other ongoing legal issues.
"Since we are a Catholic and
Marianist university, the goal of
February 25, 2004
-70% of women getting abortions
are unmarried.
By DIANA DEL VALLE
STAFF WRITER
Many students, because of
their religious beliefs, agree with
this point of view.
"I think women shouldn't have
an abortion, because it's not the
baby's fault," said freshman
Lizzette Lopez.
Leies also made reference to
Aristotle, whose theory regarding
existence was later accepted by
some Christians.
"You can understand every-
thing that exists by considering it
The SBA organization was a counsel
form of government into a legislative form
of government where members held lead-
ership positions giving them the opportu-
nity to engage projects.
"It's the little things that make big dif-
ferences," David Courreges said when
asked to comment on the changes imple-
mented.
2
COURTESY PHOTO
According to the 2000 L.A. Times poll, nearly two-thirds of people polled
believe abortion should be illegal after the first trimester.
ar this year would
ren Johnson, Dean
h Bonny Robert,
■
-
beliefs of the speakers which
included Father Leies Bedolla of
St. Mary's University and Mary
Anne Burks of Project Rachel.
Project Rachel is a Catholic
Church ministry for women and
men suffering from the aftermath
of an abortion.
Walle explained that the pur-
pose of the panel was to shed light
on the verdict of the Supreme
Court case Roe vs. Wade, which
legalized abortion and promoted
Jay A. Bender is thee current President
of the Student Bar Association (SBA) for the
2003-2004 school year.
Bender took office in April, which is ear-
lier than the usual for any administration.
The ability to take office so early permit-
ted time to coordinate a smooth transition
from the previous administration.
The SBA changes implemented for
improved functions as a whole include
three key alterations.
One change executed was an implemen-
tation of a transitional system that allows
an efficient changeover from one adminis-
tration the next administration.
This was dealt by issuing a notebook to
the members to file notes on issues dis-
cussed for that year permitting a reference
for the future administration.
Another alteration performed was the
re-establishment of a sturdy communica-
tive interaction between the SBA and the
law faculty as well as with the law alumni.
This facilitates SBA to communicate the
concerns students with the appropriate
individuals.
I
soul until after 40 days, Leies
explained.
However, many theologians
today believe that the soul is
given by God at the time of con-
ception, when the egg is fertilized.
Therefore, abortion at any
stage is seen as sinful, as its pur-
pose is to destroy human life.
Leies explained that the
Catholic Church's stance is not
only a religious view but also one
of human rights and natural law.
oi ■ os
F IS
Many audience members
foundthe panel worthwhile.
"It's good that they came and
talked, because that makes you
aware of what you can face if
you're having an abortion," Lopez
said. "But I think that they
should've brought someone in
who had an abortion to give her
side of the story."
The panel was limited to one
hour, so there was no time to
include a woman who has had an
abortion speak, Walle said.
This issue is a pressing one in
of Post Traumatic Stress
Syndrome, symptoms of with- .
drawal or approach of the trauma,
or events or thoughts that trigger
memories of the abortion.
Burks said, eventually women
can develop a sense of self-
loathing, which can often result in
many more consequences.
A woman can feel the need to
the anxiety reactions she experi- that 40 million abortions have
ences," Burks said. been performed since the Roe vs.
This could be put in the context Wade ruling.
as matter and form, matter being retreats, and individual programs
the basic material of a human and all services are confidential."
being," Leies said. "Form is a Burks said aborting a baby not
body's proper delineation, and only has effects on the unborn
specific form is the way it's been child, but also on the mother and
fashioned." sometimes even those around her.
Leies further explained the She believes abortion is seen as
idea could be applied to the exis- a quick solution but it has serious
fence of human beings, since the long-term effects.
body, which is organic material, is "The aftermath of abortion can
a matter of being, while the soul is manifest as Post Traumatic Stress
a proper form. Syndrome, which causes a
Before, some Christians did not woman to become obsessed with
beleive organic life was complex having an atonement child, on the
enough to receive a human soul one hand, or become afraid of
Opinions of abortion are every- the panel was not to debate the
where from t-shirts to car issue, but to present some history
bumpers and definitely embed- of the Church teachings on abor-
ded in people's thoughts. tion," Walle said.
Thoughts of religion, morality Leies was the first to present,
and consequence flooded during and elaborate on the history of the
Promoting Human Dignity: Catholic Church's teachings.
Building a Culture of Life, an anti- "The right of a child takes
abortion panel sponsored by precedence. It is not a matter of
Campus Law Ministry on Feb. 16.. inconvenience," Leies said. "And
The panel was presented by according to the New Catechism
Sister Grace Walle of Law of 1992 from the Catholic Church,
Campus Ministry. life must be protected with the
Spectators, brothers and a utmost care from the moment of
handful of students listened to th conception."
"The rights to life are given by display how "bad" she is by act- tial-birth abortions unless 1E
nature and not by government," ing in negative ways in which she of he mother is in danger.
Leies said. Like government normally would not, Burkes s Social or "birth cor
. laws, one can't give them and explained, such as seeking out account for approximately 93%
can't take them away." abusive relationships or become- all abortions. So-called "hard
Burks spoke about the emo- ing promiscuous.
tSse or heal!
tional effects of abortion that A woman can fall victim to of mother account for less that.
Project Rachel assists with. substance abuse or feel the need 7%
"Project Rachel offers under- to prove- their self worth by pre- gomon e cg । 0any 8
standing, healing and peace senting themselves as their idea of reason in every state of the
through reconciliation and it is for perfection, Burke added. union.
anyone who has had an abortion "It is only in the context of, and a There are at least 3,300 abortions
or helped someone else have with a deep experience of God's
one, Burks said. The program lovmg mercy that a person can be lS0URCES:USAr0DAY,ALANGLUuMACHER
aslo offers a network of specially reconciled with herself," she said. institute, family planning perspectives,
trained priests and professional "And it is in the Lord that people °"E5°
counselors, support groups, are reconciled to their children." "GRAPHIC BY DENISE M. SALINAS
EdggVm"
E"
f
[_________________
■
--
y
/
r
s
3“
_____ _____
they viewed leadership in their field, for
example Judge N.Wolf.
In addition, Bender has his Third Year
Bar Card in Criminal Defense, which
enables him to represent individuals in
court.
He makes this accessible in the Center
for Legal and Social Justice under the
department of Criminal Clinic where an
individual can gain experience through
practice.
He is also involved with Teen Court, a
sentencing process for juveniles the ages of
14 to 17 who are involved in petty crimes,
usually theft under $50.
Gathering volunteers and educating
them volunteers about the law, these vol-
- photo by nichol rodriguez unteers undergo a training of '40 hours
Jay Bender holds many accomplishments while studying law at St. Mary’s. before participating as a judge, jury or
prosecutor.
Bender's vision for this year was the sig- The success of SBA f
nificance of leadership, after all the SBA is a not have been if Deahtk a
leadership program. Vincent Johnson, D
This was followed by a well thought out Professor Jeffrey Addictt and Professor
law orientation plan where time was used Robert Summers had not provided their
efficiently and would not conflict with time and advice.
other members' activities. His plans for after graduation are to be a
The leadership focus was executed by criminal prosecutor for Dallas County.
F eatures_____
The Rattler
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Tex.). The Rattler (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 8, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2004, newspaper, February 25, 2004; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1518898/m1/8/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting St. Mary's University Louis J. Blume Library.