BY KATIE GAISER
Lions’ Pride Layout Editor

I have been an editorial writer for the Lions’ Pride for over three years now. Most of you who are fans of page two have been avid readers of the “he said/she said” opinion series between myself and alumni Joshua M. Smith for the last two years. We’ve covered every topic from healthcare and gay marriage, to the lowering of the drinking age and the legalization of marijuana.

One topic for debate that has been suggested and put off more times than I can even count is abortion. The reason we have never published anything on this topic is because it is a very sensitive and personal issue for a lot of people. Saint Leo is, after all, a Catholic institution which supports the pro-life movement, and this publication wouldn’t want to do anything to offend the very institution that gives us the funds to create it.

However, I don’t see a problem with respectively sharing my opinion with the campus on this matter as I have in so many other issues of the Lions’ Pride on topics I’m sure the university wasn’t too thrilled about either. Journalism is truth, whether it offends people or not. Censorship is illegal and, in my opinion, a cop out.

I guess part of the reason I even decided to write this article is to say that I am tired of hearing people tell me that we as writers should have censor our topics and opinions because people may not agree with them. It’s not as though I plan to bash the opposing side of my argument. If Josh were here to write his side of the story, I’m sure he would respectively convey his opinion as I plan to do.
Anyway, I digress. All I really wanted to tell you fine readers is that I have recently discovered for the first time ever that October is pro-life month, otherwise known as Respect Life Month. This month is celebrated every year by Catholics across the United States to advocate, educate, and spread awareness on the ethical concerns of issues like assisted suicide, stem cell research, and of course the big one, abortion.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website, this month is “integral to the Church’s ongoing effort to help build a culture in which every human life without exception is respected and defended.” Does this mean that every person who isn’t part of the pro-life movement disrespects life and doesn’t want to defend it? What about defending the lives of those who already exist? What about respecting the lives of those who are faced with such difficult decisions?

Furthermore, although there are many respective websites supporting the pro-choice movement and organizations in this country fighting for the rights of pro-choice people, there is not an entire month designated for their cause. I respect the fact that the Catholics have devoted an entire month to their movement and have the right to do so. Frankly, I think it’s a great idea, because it gives them the opportunity to show and tell people what they are fighting so desperately for. However, why can’t pro-choice people do the same? And if they can, then why hasn’t it happened yet?

All I’m saying is that I think it is important to consider both sides of every argument. Me not being able to write an article on abortion because my opinion differs from the institution’s is the same as the pro-choice people not being able to devote a month to their cause because their opinion differs from the country’s. What’s the point in even having rights to believe in and say what we want to if we can’t even use them?

I hope that I haven’t offended anyone who is reading this and if I have, I apologize. However, it is my job as a journalist and a citizen of this country to speak out because the Bill of Rights says I can.
And that’s what she said.