I find it troubling a group of clergy persons can "strongly support" a "women's equality agenda" that does not yet even exist ("Woman's decision a personal choice," Feb. 21).
While some of the goals outlined by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his State of the State message certainly sound laudable (like helping victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence), should not New Yorkers be able to see the specifics of his bill before deciding whether they like it?
The governor has not put forward a bill and refuses to uncouple the 10 issues in the agenda to allow separate votes on each one.
Perhaps the only detail the governor did offer in his women's agenda was his passionate endorsement of the "Reproductive Health Act," a bill that expands late-term abortions in New York, allows non-physicians to perform abortions, and threatens the liberties of religious facilities and organizations. I respectfully suggest thousands of clergy in the state who would not agree with such goals. Count me among them.
Cannot New York find a way to offer women faced with unplanned pregnancies life-affirming alternatives for them and their babies, rather than simply more abortions?
REV. RICHARD CARLINO
Pastor, St. Anthony's
and St. John the Evangelist churches, Schenectady; Schenectady fire chaplain