Abortion Rate Drops 22% Since 1990

NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS, Oct. 31 — According to a newly released study by the federal National Center for Health Statistics, in 1999 (the most recent year examined) there were 1.31 million abortions, which represents a 22% decline from 1990, accompanied by a 12% decline in the per capita rate of pregnancies and a 9% decline in the national birthrate.

The study noted that “teen pregnancy rates have reached historic lows, dropping 25% from 1990 to 1999. The birthrate dropped 19% and the abortion rate was down 39% in this age group.”

The leading users of abortion were still unmarried women, who were more than four times more likely than married women to abort their children, according to the study.

All statistics are available at www.cdc.gov/nchs/releases/ 03facts/pregbirths.htm.

Sex Not Selling on TV?

REUTERS, Nov. 6 — In the month's “man-bites-dog” story, Reuters reported that sex-soaked television shows seem not to be attracting viewers — to the disappointment of producers.

The news service noted that within one week, NBC unplugged its “libidinous” comedy “Coupling,” and Fox Network discontinued the drama “Skin,” which purported to tell a Romeo and Juliet story, tracking the romance between the daughter of a porn magnate (Ron Silver) and the son of the district attorney who was prosecuting him.

Reuters called “Skin” “a rare failure for Hollywood super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer,” who created the hit “CSI” shows.

One poorly rated show that has survived the recent ratings purge is “Joe Millionaire,” the bait-and-switch dating show created by Fox.

Variety magazine suggested viewers might have been turned off by the pornographic trappings of “Skin,” while NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker admitted to a gathering of TV insiders recently that many recent programs were of poor quality.

Catholic Order Lets Disabled Women Serve

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Nov. 7 — Some good news about the Church filtered through the mainstream media recently, as the wire service reported about an inspiring group of Catholic nuns in Branford, Conn., which is part of the French-based order the Benedictines of Jesus Crucified.

Unlike many orders that require applicants be in good health when they enter lest they be unable to take full part in community life, this group also accepts women who are sick or disabled. The order keeps most Benedictine traditions, dispensing with a few — such as fasting and midnight prayers, which might prove too burdensome for sickly women.

Since many of the women find it difficult to walk to Mass, priests bring them holy Communion privately. The order has spread quickly since its foundation some 70 years ago, the AP reported, attracting women who felt called to the religious life but could not meet the criteria for novices in other groups.

“Why should these lives, marked by the cross,” asked Sister Mary Zita Wenker, one of 21 sisters living in the Branford monastery, “not be able to live this kind of life?”