Magic Statistics

Sandra Cano is the real name of “Mary Doe” in whose name the US Supreme Court overthrew anti-abortion statutes across America.  On 22 January 1973, the court handed down two decisions, Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton, that for all practical purposes removed legal restrictions on abortion in the US.  The Doe judgment allowed abortion for any reason related to the mother’s physical, psychological, or emotional health, effectively establishing abortion on demand.

Ms Cano has since gone public with accusations that she was misled and pressured by her ACLU attorney to say that she had been unable to obtain an abortion, even though she only wanted a divorce and never sought an abortion.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to consider arguments next week that Doe v Bolton should be overturned and re-tried.

Cano has said repeatedly that she never wanted an abortion but her divorce case was used by pro-abortion attorneys to push for its legalization. An ACLU attorney took her case, in which she wanted a split from an abusive husband.

Cano has said the court should re-examine the case in part because of the medicine advances which have led to the increased awareness of the humanity of the unborn child beginning at conception.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in January that neither it nor a U.S. District Court had the authority to reverse the Supreme Court's decisions in Doe or Roe.

In June 2005, Ms Cano testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee.  She is particularly distressed that her name was used in the effort to legalise abortion—something she has always opposed.

I only sought legal assistance to get a divorce from my husband and to get my children from foster care. I was very vulnerable: poor and pregnant with my fourth child, but abortion never crossed my mind. Although it apparently was utmost in the mind of the attorney from whom I sought help.
. . .
Doe v. Bolton is based on a lie and deceit. It needs to be retried or overturned. Doe v. Bolton is against my wishes. Abortion is wrong. I love children. I would never harm a child and yet because of this case I feel like I bear the guilt of over 46 million innocent children being killed. The Supreme Court is also guilty. The bottom line is I want abortion stopped in my name.

Norma McCorvey, “Jane Roe” of Roe v Wade, is also active in the pro-life cause.  Unlike Ms Cano, Ms McCorvey supported her 1972 action to overturn laws restricting abortion.  In 1995, however, she was converted to Christianity and renounced the US Supreme Court decision that bears her name.

This post is part of the Big Blue Wave Pro-Life Blogburst.  Thanks to Suzanne at Big Blue Wave for organising this and asking me to participate.

Any pro-life bloggers who wish to contribute to the blogburst are encouraged to join in.  It’s never too late to speak up for life!  May God bless all who protect and enhance human life.